The Chronicle 2019‑20
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Contents
Welcome to the 2019‑20 edition of The Chronicle:
Welcome
4
Seasons at Junior King’s
6
the magazine that celebrates the Junior King’s community. This has been a unique year in our school’s history
90th Anniversary Celebrations
10
School Community
17
for all. In October, we celebrated our school’s 90th
Boarding
30
day of 1920s‑themed fun. Five months later, in
News from the Chaplaincy
34
Charity Fundraising
39
with the site we love so much temporarily closed
Pre‑Prep
45
are represented in these pages, this academic year
Arts
57
Humanities
74
Sciences
80
Sport
85
Extracurricular Activities
94
House Pride
99
Junior King’s Online
104
Speech Day
115
Farewell
118
and will no doubt be an incredibly memorable one anniversary on our site in Sturry with a jam‑packed March, the COVID‑19 pandemic required our school to move learning into the online sphere, to pupils. While these two year‑defining events also saw countless new experiences, achievements, moments of learning and growth for our pupils, which we also wish to celebrate and remember here. I hope you enjoy this snapshot into a very different year at Junior King’s. Mrs Lovegrove‑Bacon, Editor
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Welcome
FROM THE HEAD
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ur school is a unique and very special one that promotes kindness to all others. Our philosophy is that every child matters, and we believe that happy children will achieve their full potential, flourish and develop, supported by our high‑quality, experienced and caring teaching, pastoral and support staff team. At Junior King’s, we combine tradition with a modern outlook, the local with the international, and high academic standards with meeting the needs of all learners.
Mrs Emma Károlyi, Head
This superb edition of The Chronicle encapsulates our lovely school, along with achievements and special events that have taken place over the course of this last year. It captures our spirit and demonstrates the exuberance, creativity, vibrancy, commitment to excellence and fun that is an accurate reflection of daily life at Junior King’s. Our pupils are nurtured as individuals and are encouraged to discover their particular special strengths, interests and talents, and we offer breadth and depth in all learning, while instilling a positive ethos and “can do” attitude. We enjoy real diversity in our school and have a strong sense of community. We have a committed team of staff who work with energy, inspiration and dedication to provide our pupils with a life‑long love of learning. Our pupils are the finest role models for our school and they clearly feel proud to be part of it. The Friends of Junior King’s build supportive family links through their social functions, advice and networking, and every family is welcomed into our supportive community. Now, more than ever, we are determined to be a community that embraces and unites people across nations, that promotes a spirit of tolerance and understanding in order to build a better society tomorrow with the young people of today. What a year this has been! Last October, we celebrated the 90th anniversary of our school on our
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current 85‑acre site in Sturry. We organised a number of 1920s‑themed events for the children and staff, including an unforgettable carousel outside the Manor House. Every form planted a special commemorative tree in the grounds to mark the occasion. Then came the eventful Lent Term, which began with our very successful ISI Regulatory and Compliance Inspection and ended in schools closing due to the COVID‑19 pandemic. The teaching in the Summer Term was transformed into an online platform, enabling our pupils from all over the world to access school lessons remotely and engage with their form and subject teachers every day. We are proud of all that the pupils have achieved and the resilience shown over this period. A true Junior King’s pupil is one who is kind and caring, who values relationships and conducts himself or herself with others in a way that shows genuine support for others’ joys and achievements, as well as in their disappointments. We prepare our pupils to be modestly confident, well‑rounded individuals who are prepared for life beyond prep school. Our values of readiness, respectfulness and resilience are at the centre of all that we offer as a school and we expect our pupils to use these values and their gifts to always benefit others. By instilling these values early, our pupils make our school, and the world, a far better place.
Welcome
FROM THE HEAD BOY AND GIRL Adapted from their Virtual Speech Day Reports
‘Touch, pause, engage’ – in December I might have taken these words from rugby for my speech, but school life has been hugely different for all of us since mid‑March, and to reflect this I have taken my words not from the River Field, but from Office 365. TEAMS give us a sense of identity and belonging wherever our interests lie: sport, Lego League, Maths Challenge or theatre, there are teams all around you. Our FORMS are also an important team, helping to bring out the best in us, a sense of challenge and common purpose. The journey together is more important than the final score, although we did go two years unbeaten. Just saying! Next up: ONE NOTE. In my 10 years here, there have been many notable moments, including making fête stands with my friends, the Sports Dinner last year with England hockey player, James Oates, and my Year 5 musical production of ‘Joseph’. POWERPOINT: we need energy. SHAREPOINT: we need to learn to get along. It is the shared experience, being part of the school community, that has been so special. And Microsoft WHITEBOARD? Each day is a blank canvas – something upon which, collaboratively, we can all leave our mark. Life at Junior King’s can be hectic – that’s where PLANNER and CALENDAR come in. With students offered such a plethora of activities and opportunities, I have learnt that it is good to try new things. I have also learnt how to prioritise my time; it’s amazing how much you can fit into a day! This is what we do do. What about what we can do? ONEDRIVE: put ourselves forward, keep trying, take risks. EXCEL: staff take time and trouble to help us become the best that we can be. PUBLISHER: these days, especially online, we tend to forget just how much impact our words can have on others. Let everything we publish, face to face or through social media, be kind. WORD: be honest, show integrity and be a person of your word. OUTLOOK: we are at the top of our precious school, our prep school days are over. The year hasn’t ended as we would have liked it to. Though the future may seem uncertain, we have all been given the most amazing start, and I am truly grateful for that.
It is a great honour to have been given the role of Head Girl this year. I would like to thank Mrs Károlyi and all the staff who trusted me with this important position. It is also a privilege to be giving this speech, although I never expected to deliver it online! I want to begin by saying that I now realise how lucky we all are. To think that this term we, as Year 8s, would have been enjoying our leavers’ dinners and excitedly asking people to sign our leavers’ books shows us how much we took for granted and, dare I say it, how much we enjoyed going to school! Had we been here this term, we would have been seeing our friends every day, participating in plays, and keeping fit thanks to four Games sessions a week and competitive fixtures against other schools. We would also have been doing all kinds of creative things, like learning how to make a birdhouse in DT or reaching Grade 5 on the piano. I think that we all now appreciate how fortunate we are to have such personal and engaging teachers, and to be part of such a wonderful school. Since joining the school in Year 5, I have grown in so many ways. For example, thanks to Drama and my friends, I have been able to build my confidence. When I first arrived, people thought I couldn’t speak English! That shows how little I said... and yet, here I am, delivering a speech to hundreds of people! One of the most important things I will take from my time at Junior King’s is the way I have not just been taught facts but, more importantly, how to learn. Before I started at the school, my dyslexia was an obstacle that stopped me from showing my full potential. Now, with wonderful support from the Learning Support team, dyslexia is something I view as a creative asset. I will always look back fondly on my time at Junior King’s. I have made many friends from a variety of backgrounds and cultures, I have learned to love sport more and more, and I have let my creative abilities be fully realised within the Arts and Drama.
I would like to thank everyone – the Head, teachers, caterers, grounds staff and support staff – for their care, and for making our journey the ride of our lives.
I would like to end by thanking the teachers, especially those who have taught me personally. I may have only been at Junior King’s for four years, but I have loved every moment of my time here and leave with some amazing memories.
William, Head Boy
Zahra, Head Girl
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n o s s a a e t S
Jun s ’ ior King 6 | The Chronicle 2019‑20
Seasons at Junior King’s
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Seasons at Junior King’s
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Seasons at Junior King’s
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years 1929–2019 10 | The Chronicle 2019‑20
90th Anniversary Celebrations
90TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS Celebrating 90 Years at our Home in Sturry
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n 2019, we celebrated our school’s 90th anniversary on its historic site in Sturry, Canterbury. Opened in 1879 as the preparatory school to the King’s School, Junior King’s was initially based with the senior school in the heart of the city within the Cathedral Precincts. In 1929, the junior school moved to its current site in Sturry, two miles outside the city in the beautiful 80‑acre countryside location that is still its home today.
In any ordinary year, Kipling Day (named for Rudyard Kipling, who opened the Sturry site in 1929) would be celebrated on the first Friday of October. However, Friday 4 October 2019 saw Kipling Day given over to a very special day of celebration in honour of this momentous year. Anniversary celebrations saw the school plunge back in time to the 1920s for the day, with plenty of surprises in store for pupils as the school looked back on its 90‑year history in its current location.
Rudyard Kipling at the school’s Sturry opening
Upon arriving at school, everyone was greeted by a huge, vintage‑style carousel outside the
Manor House reception, dwarfing by comparison a smaller, Pre‑Prep friendly version. Rides on the carousel were available non‑stop throughout the day as part of a rotation of 1920s‑themed activities. These included an Art Deco‑inspired Art lesson in the Barn, with pupils sewing their own Binca designs; a PE session that saw children exercising in lines, 1920s‑style; a vibrant dance class
from a choreographer teaching the Charleston; and a photo booth full of ‘20s props. Even lunch had a historic flavour, with a 1920s inspired menu carefully curated to please modern taste buds! We also undertook two ambitious whole‑school activities involving all the members of our community. The day began with a drone photograph on the lawn in front of the Barn, with The Chronicle 2019-20 | 11
90th Anniversary Celebrations staff and pupils arranged to form a giant 90. The afternoon also featured a choreographed dance to ‘Celebration’ by Kool & The Gang in the sports hall – a really special moment featuring the oldest pupils right down to the very youngest. To commemorate this milestone year, each year group, the boarders, staff members and the
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Friends of Junior King’s had their own trees to plant in the grounds on the day, a lasting reminder of this special anniversary. In the lead up to the day, pupils and staff also created a wonderful mosaic crown under the guidance of mosaic artist Hannah Griffiths and Mrs Sylvester, with each individual producing their own unique tile. The crown has been
hung for now in pride of place in the Manor House reception – a sparkling addition to the room. After all the excitement of the day, the only thing left to do before home time was enjoy cupcakes and ice cream in the school’s orchard, which were served up by teachers on vintage bikes – an appropriate end to a day of fun, thankfulness and celebration.
90th Anniversary Celebrations
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90th Anniversary Celebrations
90 YEARS OF GROWTH Members of our community planted trees in the grounds to commemorate the occasion. We can’t wait to see these continue to flourish in the years to come.
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90th Anniversary Celebrations
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School Community
SCHOOL COMMUNITY A strong sense of community underpins all that we do at Junior King’s, from the Nursery to Year 8, in the day school and on the boarding floors. We place great emphasis on caring for others and we aim to create global citizens who recognise the importance of contributing to the greater community in which they live. Visitors regularly comment on the school’s warm and welcoming ethos. Everyone at Junior King’s is included, everyone is celebrated, and everyone has a voice: staff, pupils and parents alike are encouraged to share ideas and voice concerns, however small. There is a true feeling of family at our school, which is a place where long‑lasting friendships are formed. We have a commitment to ensure that, during their time at the school, each pupil is helped in unearthing their strengths and can leave confident in both themselves and their abilities, prepared to face the challenges that life will throw at them. Ultimately, the Junior King’s community is a strong team of staff, parents and pupils, who work closely together. And for staff, our priority is always the best interests of the children. Mrs Hutchings, Deputy Head (Pastoral) and Head of Boarding
Our New Values: Respect, Resilience and Readiness This year we launched our new school values – respect, resilience and readiness – which formed a focus for the school during the year. Assemblies and lessons focused on what these qualities mean and how everyone is capable of embodying them through their actions. These values are extremely important in our school community, and when they are mixed with other ingredients of school life they come together to form a recipe for success!
World Mental Health Day For 2019’s World Mental Health Day, three days were dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of mental health in October. Staff offered a series of fun and relaxing activities to give the pupils a range of different tools to help them to deal with stress and anxiety. Activities run included breathing and meditating, doodling, creative play, listening to music, playing board games, dog walking and attending chat and chill‑out sessions.
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School Community
Year 5 Tour the Senior School Following the start of term service in Canterbury Cathedral in September, the Year 5s were greeted by King’s School pupils and taken on a tour around the senior school. This was a lovely opportunity to mix with older students from the wider school community, who were fantastic tour guides, taking the younger pupils under their wing, welcoming them warmly and ably answering any questions about life in the senior school. Highlights included being shown all the machines in the DT department and meeting Wilfred, one of the senior school’s familiar canine faces.
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School Community Pre‑Prep at Highland House
Fireworks Night
Pre‑Prep continued their relationship with the Highland House care home outside Canterbury this year. Their weekly visits have proven so rewarding for everyone involved, with benefits for the children including learning to communicate, respect and value the older generation.
The evening of 6 November saw our truly magnificent fireworks display light up the sky over Sturry. This event was put on for the whole community and culminated in a magnificent, sparkling ‘90’ in honour of our school’s anniversary. Everyone was well fed and watered, with thanks due to the Friends Committee, who organised the refreshments and glow in the dark reflective fun.
Christmas Market
The Christmas Market was wonderful! A fun, child‑centred event for the whole community, extremely well‑attended and very successful. I am very grateful to the team of parents who worked so unbelievably hard to create the most fabulous afternoon for everyone. Mrs Károlyi
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School Community Mock Election 2019’s December General Election gave pupils the perfect opportunity to explore the democratic process for themselves with a mock election. Organised by Mr McKeating, the election saw students campaigning on behalf of the four major political parties: the Conservatives, Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party. After an exciting hustings in assembly on 9 December, three days before the UK went to the polls, the children flocked to their own polling stations to vote for their favoured party. The overall winner, announced on the last day of term, were the Lib Dems, campaigned for impressively by Joe (Year 8) and Alex (Year 7).
Star Party In January, Mr Finnis held a wonderful astronomy event for pupils and parents to learn about the stars and other fascinating objects in the night sky. Luckily, the weather was good enough for the party to head outside for some stargazing.
Year 8 Careers Afternoon Burns Supper and Ceilidh We had a fantastic, atmospheric Burns Supper in January, organised by the Friends Committee. It was everything a Burns Night celebration should be, with much merriment, poetry, humorous speech‑making, delicious food, bagpiping and energetic ceilidh dancing (accompanied by a live band). It was a very special occasion and so fabulous to bring an authentic taste of Scotland to Kent.
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In February, we were joined by some intrepid parents who spoke to Year 8 about their careers in four very different, but equally fascinating, areas. Covering how they found their paths in life and why they find their jobs rewarding, our speakers talked pupils through their careers in art, acting, piloting and AI pharmaceuticals, with the key takeaway of the afternoon being to pursue what you enjoy and to follow the path of what you are good at. Thank you to our four parents for giving up their time to provide our Year 8s with such a valuable experience and for giving them plenty of food for thought.
School Community
School Council and Committees Our School Council members are elected by their peers, with members representing their respective year groups with pride. Over a working lunch this year (after pupils decided they would achieve more working through lunch!), some wonderful ideas were voiced and debated, and some super initiatives introduced. These included staff birthday cards, a code on the Upper School boys’ changing room door, sports hall in operation at break time, and a committee suggestion box with coloured slips. Useful discussions took place about after‑school activities too, with some interesting ideas put forward for the future. A regular girls’ football session sits high on the list! Our Arts and Catering committees also had plenty of ideas about developing these areas of school life. A full list of members involved in this year’s council and committee groups is below: School Council Members Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8
Benny, Oliver, Alex J, Olivia, Eva, Charlie, Findlay, Zen, Alex S, and Isabel Hugo and Dexter Elspeth and Rupert Miroslava and Larry Sophia R, Oscar and Rufus Flavia and Adrian Uliana, Antonio, Zahra and William H
Catering Committee Members: Prep Lisa, Winor, Alex, Alexandra, Rahman, Anna, David, Josie, Sam, Sophie, James, Kasi, Oliver, Pippa, Ewan, Dhiya, Mackenzie, William, Frank, Ella, Jingchen and Darius Catering Committee Members: Pre‑Prep George, Jessica, Melody, Cassiopea, Chris, Rafe, Penelope, Lawrence, Arthur and Elliot Arts Committee Members Dayyan, Enoch, Lily, Emily, Max, Ayshia, Luke, Treasure, Finn, Zadie, Charlotte, Kyle, Freya and Kayesha
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School Community Celebrating our Scholarship Applicants
We are very proud of all who took part in the 11+ and 13+ scholarship assessments this year. An impressive number of pupils put themselves forward for the awards and worked very hard in the lead up to the assessments. We celebrated the efforts of everyone who took up the challenge in assembly following the announcement of the awards.
Congratulations to all those who were offered 13+ awards or places on the excellence programmes at the senior school in Art, DT, Dance, Drama, Music and Sport, and to those who were offered external awards. Sadly, due to the COVID‑19 pandemic, no academic scholarships were awarded to the King’s School this year, but 8L pupils did receive some fantastic
11+ Scholarship
13+ Sports Exhibition
Treasure Amadi
Bryan Onwuka
11+ Exhibitions Sophia Robinson
13+ Sports Excellence Programme
Hanshuo Zhang
Imogen Allen
13+ Music Scholarships
William Holland
Thomas Hutchings
13+ Drama Excellence Programme
Joe Netley
Sofiya Kozlova
Nathan Sumner
Dayyan Tariq
13+ Sports Scholarships
13+ Dance Scholarships
Thomas Hutchings
Celia Child‑Villiers
Nathan Sumner
Eliza Michie
William Holland
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13+ Art Excellence Programme Gus Curry Iona Jeffery Lisa Yeh 13+ DT Scholarship Enoch Addley
marks on their Research Projects, with Purnesh achieving an A* and first place and Thomas and Sam commended on their A grade projects. At 11+ level, three of our pupils have been offered awards from September for the remainder of their time at Junior King’s.
Dana Kuhn Zahra Piggins Attila Pinter External Awards Offered Gus Curry – Drama and Art Scholarships, St Edmund’s School
13+ DT Exhibition Alex Robinson Lily Ross‑Brown
Arushi Benefield Chopra – Music Scholarship, Choral and Academic Exhibitions,
13+ DT Excellence Programme Oliver Dallas Antonio Kuhn
St Edmund’s School Elena Kuhn – All‑Rounder Scholarship, Brighton College
School Community Grandparents’ Day
Neurodiversity Celebration
The sun made a welcome appearance at the beginning of March for Grandparents’ Day. We were thrilled to be able to welcome so many special guests to our school. They were treated to some tremendous musical and dramatic performances from pupils and our catering team put on an absolutely scrumptious afternoon tea. We hope that our guests enjoyed attending lessons during the afternoon and we thank them for coming to see what makes our community so special.
The learning support team delivered a fascinating assembly on neurodiversity in the Lent Term to highlight how brains can work in different ways. Three former Junior King’s pupils, currently thriving at the senior school, spoke to us about their personal experiences with learning differences. Helen, Libby and Finn were extremely inspiring, confident and candid as they talked about their own experiences and how their differences are also their strengths. Interestingly, they all emphasised that the key to succeeding is resilience – one of our core Junior King’s values! Thank you to Helen, Libby and Finn for sharing their insights with us.
Prefects’ Dinner
We had a very special evening at Junior King’s when some of our staff and our Year 8 prefects were joined by King’s colleagues and the Purples for a joint dinner. Our prefects were able to learn more about King’s and see the wonderful, articulate and charming young adults that they can aspire to become themselves. It was a pleasure to see so many former Junior King’s pupils and how they have flourished over the years, and we all wished them well for their future individual journeys beyond school. It is always a pleasure when Junior King’s and the King’s School join forces, and for our staff to meet their former pupils, years later. Mrs Károlyi
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School Community World Book Day 2020
Years 5 to 8 marked World Book Day on 5 March this year with lessons that emphasised the joy of reading. Some forms chose to start the day by reading together, always a wonderful way to begin a busy morning. Members of staff from across the school shared their favourite books with their classes and spoke about why these books or authors had inspired them. Choices ranged from ‘The Rainbow Fish’ to ‘The Woman in Black’ to books about fun with Maths, so there was a definite range on offer. Books and reading were also incorporated into various lessons and activities throughout the day: for example, in English, students swapped their books and read extracts chosen by their friends, helping to introduce them to titles that they had perhaps never considered before; in MFL, students were given the titles of Roald Dahl books in Spanish and had to match them with their equivalents in English and were introduced to the character of Asterix; some Year 5 students had a go at inventing their own language like Tolkien’s in ‘The Hobbit’; and in Maths, Year 8 students looked at poems by Hilaire Belloc. It was wonderful to see such diverse approaches to the day. We are very lucky to have wonderful libraries and reading resources at Junior King’s, with an excellent selection of audiobooks on offer too and access to the Wheelers Books online platform for Upper School. Reading is such a beneficial activity and crucial to the development of every child’s literacy. It is good to see that it is very much part of our culture at Junior King’s. Mr Allen, Head of English
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School Community Junior House Book Week
Day Book d l r o W iting their f exc o d e k d e n on e te ole w ssing up se ex h u o w H p a d dre g worksho Ju n i o r o n s i n t o clude i n t n i i a t r i e r b r w ‑P p, ich cele rical to Pre ary , wh o s t s g e i i n t h i i activ lf, a , read turry Libr y itse ewart Ross S a ate d e th St sits to , a bookpl i r v o h , t g au time eatin with ap. hot s ading e r r e t d ook sw c e b a t r a a a n d h g c n si shop a me de for so tion, a book eti comp
Dressing as our favourite characters
Reading in Sturry Library Winners of the bookplate competition
Stewart Ross delivers writing advice
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School Community Our Environment
Meeting the Duchess of Cambridge
It has been really encouraging to see the continued growth of our Environmental Forum this year, which is open to staff and pupils alike. Each meeting has been well attended and there were always a multitude of ideas shared. Some changes have been implemented in the school, such as reducing single-use plastics and cutting down on waste. Meat‑free Mondays have also been a real success. Over the last year, we have also begun pairing with the Going Greener committee at King’s. In the next few years it will be essential that the work of this group develops as we look to protect the environment on a local and global scale.
Pupils Luke (Year 6) and Savannah (Reception) were lucky enough to meet the Duchess of Cambridge at an event at Evelina London Children’s Hospital in January, with Luke even getting the opportunity to take an exclusive snap of HRH! Luke and Savannah have been working extremely hard raising funds for the hospital this year and we are very proud of their amazing efforts. Years 5 and 6 were even inspired to help the same cause as part of their Middle School Fundraising Day.
Rev Tugwell
2020/21 School Planner Competition Congratulations to Molly (Year 7) whose work was chosen as the winner of this year’s School Planner Competition! The theme was “the environment” and there were some extremely inspiring entries submitted, but sadly there could only be one winning design. Thank you to all who entered and spent time thinking about how to portray our theme. We can’t wait to see Molly’s design in print!
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School Community The Friends of Junior King’s: 2019‑20 Review by Camilla Roberts, Chair The Friends of Junior King’s approached the new academic year with ambition and enthusiasm. Term began with our Welcome Cream Tea Party. The Orchard in the warm autumn sunshine was the perfect setting to meet our new families, see friends and catch up with members of staff after the long summer holidays. Through the steady hum of chatter, teacups clinked, and the children laughed as they played games and crafted.
We sailed through our AGM and bid a very fond farewell and heartfelt thanks to Helen Stanwell and Miss Moore, and officially welcomed Anastasiya Kozlova, Laura Michie, Jules Burke and Mrs Stonier on to the Committee. Through the early part of the term we organised apple pickers to gather fruit from our beautiful school grounds, Mrs Károlyi’s garden and the orchards belonging to JKS families. The fruit was taken to a local farm for pressing and bottling and 400 bottles of apple and pear juice were produced for sale at our events. As the term progressed, we turned to fundraising and hosted a very successful coffee morning for Macmillan Cancer Support. Thanks in no small part to the hitherto unknown auctioneering skills of Mr Taylor, we were able
to contribute £593.95 to the total raised by the school. At the beginning of October, we joined in with the school’s 90th anniversary celebrations. To mark the occasion, the Friends donated just over £1,200 for trees to be planted throughout the grounds by pupils and staff. We even planted our very own plum tree in the orchard in appreciation of all the members of the Friends, past, present and future. By half term, we were hitting our stride. We were working on six different projects simultaneously: an eco‑friendly fireworks stall; Christmas mugs, tea towels and cards designed by the Pre‑Prep children; a Christmas party for the grown ups; the Christmas Market; Burns Night; and our very first Chinese New Year celebration. It was fantastic. In November, we supported the school’s spectacular Fireworks Night by serving hot drinks to keep everyone warm and sweet treats to keep the children happy. We avoided buying new stock of single-use glow in the dark plastic toys, instead opting for light‑up gloves and glow in the dark face paints. We also manned a stall selling house supporters items at the house cross country races.
The Friends of
We hosted a fabulous Christmas party at the Malthouse Theatre that over 100 people attended. The DJ from the Summer Ball came back and we danced into the night. The Christmas Market was a truly joyous event. Secret Santa had been rebranded ‘Elfridges’, the sports hall was transformed by frozen fractals falling from the ceiling, we had a beautiful Santa’s Grotto replete with wooden toys and twinkling lights and I’m reliably informed the real Mother and Father Christmas were able to join us. We also had not two, but three FJKS stalls selling pocket money goodies, homemade produce and second‑hand uniform.
No sooner than we were back in January, it was time to feast and drink and dance in memory of Robert Burns. Those in attendance loved it. One parent kindly wrote to me to say, ‘who knew you could have so much fun at school?’ I’m also happy to report that we raised £530.53 for the Dean’s Fund. And there sadly, our story all but ends. We had planned a The Chronicle 2019-20 | 27
School Community spectacular Chinese New Year celebration with dragon dancing, live musical performances and fireworks; a very chocolatey Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, complete with a Kent Fire Engine and a magician; strawberry sales; a Drama Festival Café; a sponsored walk; Summer Fête stalls and so much more. The Summer Ball 2021 Committee was formed and raring to go. Instead, confined to our homes by the coronavirus lockdown, we reached out with offers to help anyone who needed food or medical deliveries and we asked our wonderful class reps to organise Zoom chats to keep us connected. We hope Ben de Haan’s cocktail recipes raised a smile through these strange times. We also launched an appeal to support three amazing local charities, Pilgrims Hospice, Porchlight and Canterbury Food Bank, that raised £2,420. Aside from the money that we raised for the charities mentioned above, we managed to increase the FJKS bank balance by £3,634.58. Thank you to every parent, guardian or member of staff who attended our events, contributed to our fundraising or bought something from our stalls. We are enormously grateful for your generous support. Particular thanks to Eloise Coulson and Alexa Pellumbi for bringing their creativity to our Christmas Market Committee; Catherine Manney for making her
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delicious Christmas chutney and cranberry sauce for us; and to the magnificent parents who rolled up their sleeves and helped us to set up the Christmas Market on the day and tidy up afterwards. Thank you also to those members of staff and parents that made Burns Night so special with their dancing, toasting and speeches. I’d also like to thank the wonderful parents who joined our team working on our Chinese New Year event. Xue Yang, you are a complete superstar, and we wouldn’t have been able to even begin without your phenomenal input. A huge thank you also to the following parents who gave us invaluable advice and help: Liang Zhang, Yin Zhang, Mandy Wang, Guoduo Zhou, Grace Shi, Jian Hu, Hong Man, Janice Choo, Maria Xie and Xin Xiong. It was an absolute joy to work with you on this project. Your enthusiasm, determination, and generosity blew me away. Learning how to make dumplings with you and your families, Xue and Grace, was a Roberts family highlight of the year and I cannot wait until we can celebrate Chinese New Year with you all. When it happens, it will be spectacular. Special thanks to the school staff members who have helped us over the last year: Mrs Jerman, Mrs O’Brien, Mrs Lovegrove‑Bacon in the School Office; Miss Scott‑Kilvert, Mrs Anstey‑Watson, Mrs McConkey,
Mrs Izzi, Mr Frost, Mr Taylor, Mrs Marais, Mr Castro, Mr Barber, Mr Jamieson, Mrs Chandler and Mr Stevenson from Junior King’s; Annalise Roy and Johanna Prior from the King’s School, Canterbury International College; John Astbury from the King’s School, Shenzhen; Nina Hunt, Kerry Reed and Esther Marsh from the King’s School; Pete Southgate, Ross Webb and the catering department; Rachel Wickes and the domestic team, all of the groundsmen and our wonderful sergeants and security guards. Thank you for your words of wisdom, your offers of help, and your willingness to be part of the fun. And so to this year’s committee members: Mrs Károlyi, Mrs Hutchings, Mrs Stonier, Katharine Fahy, Eni Obiora, Annabel Wakeling, Angela Pickard, Buffy Smiley, Laura Michie, Anastasiya Kozlova and Jules Burke. It wasn’t the year we had hoped for, but we did our best. Thank you for the hard work, enthusiasm and joy you put into the first half of the year, and the commitment you showed through lockdown, attending the Zoom Committee meetings and still coming up with ideas to make the Friends useful in the dark days. Finally, Katharine and Eni, thank you both for being outstanding officers. Your hard work, your attention to detail and your laughter have made chairing this Committee through 2019/2020 an absolute pleasure.
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Boarding
BOARDING 2019‑20 Reports from the Boarding House Heads
I have been delighted to be Head of Kipling this year. Even though the year has been cut short it has been a wonderful year for Kipling and even though this was my shortest year in Kipling house and Junior King’s, it’s going to be the one I remember the most: honestly it was my favourite year! The longer you are in Kipling the more your relationship grows, not just with the staff and your year but everyone in the house. Whether it be mix it up Monday at Tea, sharing snacks on movie nights or being in the same team on the astro, you start to build a relationship without even knowing it and very soon you realise that everyone is your family and this is your home away from home. Example: after a long day of school the one thing you want to do is go on the boarding floor and just relax with your friends. Whether it be going on the astro or playing Fifa together, you soon realise that every day you crave to see your friends, you crave to relax with them and that just shows how much you mean to each other. That’s why my favourite moments at Junior King’s will always have something to do with boarding. The memory that stands out the most is the Christmas Dinners, where we were never disappointed and where seeing your friends wearing suits makes them seem like whole new people. So, as you can tell, I am going to miss a lot about Junior King’s, but nothing comes close to the passion I have for boarding. I would like to thank Mr Stevenson and Ms North, who have helped me so much, and the matrons, domestic staff, assistant tutors, and everyone else. But most of all I want to thank all the boarders for making my time at Junior King’s so filled with fun and excitement. Winor, Head of Kipling
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I am Lisa and I am the Head of Juckes in 2019‑20. I have been at Junior King’s for three years and boarding is definitely one of the best parts. I can still remember when I first came to this school with no English at all! I found it hard during school time with all of the work, but the boarding house made me feel at home where everybody was helping me out! It felt like a second home. My highlight is definitely when I did my speech for the head of boarding. To be honest, I didn’t think I was going to get it. But I still tried my best. That was the first time I did a speech in English. Also, the event on the weekend was remarkable as well. The best trip was definitely Thorpe Park and the Christmas dinner was definitely the best event! It was the happiest time at boarding! As I leave to go to senior King’s, I will miss the whole school, the whole boarding floor, the staff and teachers. I will miss the movie night on Saturday and the Year 8 meeting on Tuesday. I really want to thank all of the boarding tutors and staff. To Mrs Tugwell, Mrs Hutchings, Mrs Powell, Mrs Marais, Mrs Sylvester, Miss Janes, Mrs Martin-Austen, Mrs Marshall and all of the cleaning staff. Thank you for your efforts and thank you for everything! Lisa, Head of Juckes
Boarding Summer Renovations
“At Home” Days
Some fantastic renovations were made to the boarding floors over the summer. In boys’ boarding, the Maintenance Department worked hard to update Shackleton Dorm and convert the old boys’ common room into a brand new communal space, packed with comfy chairs, gaming devices and TVs, adjoined by a little kitchen area. They also created a new common room on the girls’ floor, opposite Mr and Mrs Tugwell’s flat. The communal areas are perfect for the boarders’ weekly film nights and were a lovely surprise to those returning after the summer break. Some very hard work was put in by Maintenance and IT to create these practical, homely spaces – they have been put to very good use this year!
In addition to the planned Sunday excursions, a number of Sundays each term are kept as “at home” days, with boarders enjoying personal free time on the school site, as well as planned activities that make use of the school’s facilities.
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Boarding
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News from the Chaplaincy
NEWS FROM THE CHAPLAINCY I have continued to be so encouraged by the Chaplaincy work this year. The Prayer Space is now a regular feature in the Chaplaincy room and it has been a joy to welcome pupils as they come to enjoy a moment of peace, to engage in some craft and to pray. The pupils often have things on their minds and we make sure that we end each session by saying some very simple prayers together. Weekly visits to the Nursery and Pre‑Prep have been fully established and the children and staff have been incredibly welcoming. Bubble prayers with the Nursery will be remembered as possibly the most boisterous prayers ever prayed! A group of very faithful staff meet on a weekly basis to pray for the school and I hope that this is an encouragement to all members of our community. ‘Pause’ also continues as a very special time of fellowship and prayer and I would like to thank the parents who regularly make time to meet to support this ministry. Throughout the year we hold many services and, again, there is much to be thankful for. Harvest, once again, saw phenomenal generosity from our pupils and families. Remembrance was marked both as a school and with Sturry parish. The Carol Service saw us focus on the theme of “hope” and the pupils contributed wonderfully to this very special occasion. Through the Autumn and Lent Terms, this year’s Confirmation group met weekly and it was a joy to journey with them as they prepared for their Confirmation. We were able to discuss what it means to follow God and doing so over a sandwich lunch worked very well. “Snack of the week” also proved popular! In the Lent Term I was able to take some pupils to the Holocaust Memorial Day exhibition at Canterbury Cathedral. We listened to an engaging talk and then viewed artefacts from the cathedral archives. Afterwards we were given a tour of the cathedral. Each Sunday, the boarders met for a service and we continued to explore creative acts of worship. Services included visual input, crafts, acts of kindness, bedtime prayers and more. With the Summer Term’s learning moving online, work in the Chaplaincy changed significantly. However, staff prayers and Pause continued and seemed particularly valued as we faced the challenge of COVID‑19. Video messages and reflections were recorded around the school and I am grateful for the kind feedback received. We continue to pray for a steady return to normality next school year. Rev Tugwell
Start of Year Service in Canterbury Cathedral
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News from the Chaplaincy Harvest Festival Harvest is the perfect time to reflect and give thanks for the foods we get to enjoy on a day‑to‑day basis and to think about those who do not have the same luxury of knowing where their next meal is coming from. As always, our Prep and Pre‑Prep Harvest Festival services saw some very generous donations from our community, which were distributed to Catching Lives and the Canterbury Food Bank. In the Prep school service we thought about cultivating hearts that care, eyes that see and hands that give, while the Pre‑Prep service featured some wonderful performances from the children and focused on caring for others through the telling of the harvest‑time tale of Naomi and Ruth.
Remembrance The boarders and the choir joined with our local community in Sturry for a joint Remembrance Day commemoration on Remembrance Sunday at St Nicholas’s Church. We followed this with our own Remembrance service in the Memorial Garden at Junior King’s on Monday 11 November.
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News from the Chaplaincy
Carol Service in Canterbury Cathedral
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News from the Chaplaincy Carol Service Front Cover Design Competition on the Theme of Hope
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News from the Chaplaincy
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Confirmation in Canterbury Cathedral
Holocaust Memorial Day exhibition at Canterbury Cathedral
Creative services and activities with the boarders
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Charity Fundraising
CHARITY FUNDRAISING Charitable giving lies at the heart of the Junior King’s ethos. Through charity fundraising, our community of pupils, parents and staff works together to support others. This community suggests charities that need financial or material support and we then set to work finding novel ways to help. This year we have raised £9,387 through sponsored events, church services, ticketed events, cake sales, coffee mornings and non‑uniform days. We have also assisted local charities with collections of food and clothing. In addition to raising funds, we try to do as much as we can to bring our local community together. We have visits from local schools who share our facilities and explore our Forest Park. We work closely with St Nicholas’s church and share services with the parish. Each week, Pre‑Prep pupils visit a local care home. Through conversation, stories, games and music they have established wonderful inter‑generational, and sometimes life‑changing, friendships. Although the coronavirus curtailed our charitable events at school, the Junior King’s community has continued to care for others. Whether it be delivering meals and shopping to local residents, constructing PPE masks or organising sponsored events to raise money for the NHS and local charities, the ethos lives on. Mrs Anstey‑Watson, Charity Coordinator
Stand Up To Cancer
Macmillan Coffee Morning
In September, our intrepid boarders and members of staff set out to swim 1,690 lengths of the Junior King’s pool, the equivalent of the 21‑mile crossing of the English Channel, in aid of Stand Up To Cancer. We were very proud of the commitment and positivity of our swimmers, who swam over 2,300 lengths – well in excess of the target set! We ultimately raised £570 for this worthy cause.
There were some delicious cakes baked and brought in for the Macmillan Coffee Morning, hosted by the Friends of Junior King’s. Mr Taylor gamely auctioned off a couple of cakes and it was a great opportunity for parents to chat and catch up. We also hosted a non‑uniform day to add to the contributions and raised a total of £1,400.
Prefects for Porchlight We were very proud of our prefects, who spearheaded a pre‑Christmas drive to collect donations for Porchlight, a local charity that supports homeless and vulnerable people in Kent. We look to our prefects to set an example, and their championing of this cause was a timely reminder to think of those less fortunate than ourselves.
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Charity Fundraising Children in Need
We went all out for Children in Need this year with a packed day of fundraising activities, and it showed. We raised a staggering £3,479.55! Thank you so much to everyone for supporting this amazing cause.
Pre‑Prep do nated shin y coins to create a Pud sey outline
y ng and Bu a super Bri ld e h rs se M u o h Junior H a party wit ad a pyjam g sale, and h the evenin Károlyi in
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Charity Fundraising
Middle School
completed a Sporty Challen ge
Upper School had a non‑un iform day, a bake sa le and a karaok session e in the b arn
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Charity Fundraising Porchlight Assembly
Middle School Fundraising Day
In our first week back in January, we were visited by Nathan from Porchlight who led an assembly for us on the amazing work the charity does for homeless and vulnerable people in our local community. It was a wonderful, informative talk and it was great to hear more about how the money we collected for them during the Christmas Carol Service would be used to help those in need. Thanks to all who donated back in December.
An extremely impressive sum of £1,000 was raised for charity by our Middle School pupils on their Fundraising Day in March.
Sport Relief In March we held a charity non‑uniform day in aid of Sport Relief, which raises money for vulnerable people in the UK and around the world. Pupils and teachers took part in a surprise sporty fundraiser in the afternoon: an aerobics session led by an instructor from the King’s School Recreation Centre. This was huge fun and we were able to raise a fantastic £221!
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The all‑day fundraising extravaganza was the culmination of the children’s efforts during last October’s Middle School TASC day (“Thinking Actively in a Social Context”), where pupils in Years 5 and 6 were set the task of planning a fundraising event. With so many fantastic and creative ideas produced by the pupils, it was decided to put these into practice and host an event featuring their suggestions in order to raise money for three very important charities: Porchlight, Sport Relief and Evelina London Children’s Hospital.
Charity Fundraising Dressed in splashes of Porchlight’s colours (purple and yellow), pupils spent the day undertaking a series of fun activities that called for qualities like collaboration, creativity and cooperation. The morning kicked off with a “Bake Off” competition, where pupils were divided into their year groups and asked to decorate a batch of cupcakes in a matching design. The challenge here was to agree on what the design would be and then how to use the group effectively to complete the task. 6F came out victorious with their lovely design.
The afternoon saw pupils putting their knowledge of their classmates to the test in a competition where they had to match photos of pets and toys to their owners. This was followed by a creative challenge in which pupils crafted their own charity change boxes. After all the excitement, and as a treat for the pupils’ hard work, the day closed with a “cinema” experience: a DVD and popcorn in the Music School’s recital room.
We are very proud of everyone’s attitude during the day and of the huge effort that was put into the occasion. Combining fun with fundraising, the pupils learned about the power of using cooperation and teamwork to make a difference. Well done team Middle School!
More collaboration was required in the basketball competition, where the team to get the most hoops would be branded the winner. 6M combined their efficient queuing system with their sporting prowess to snatch their win with a whopping 146 baskets!
I learned that I can be part of a good team and that we can make a difference to people in need by fundraising Anaïs, 6P
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Pre-Prep
PRE‑PREP Each and every year in the Pre‑Prep is a new, fresh and exciting one, filled with awe and wonder. It is a true privilege to lead these youngest members of our school community through such a vital phase in their lives. The foundation blocks are revealed sensitively and responded to with enthusiasm, along with lots of fun and peals of laughter. The photos in this section demonstrate a flavour of the breadth of experiences the children of the Pre‑Prep have enjoyed this year! Mrs McConkey, Head of Pre‑Prep
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Pre-Prep Reception at the East Kent Ploughing Match Mud, glorious mud! Despite the rainy day, Reception had a lot of fun at the East Kent Ploughing Match towards the end of September. They learned all about old and new tractors, big farm machinery and Shire horses. A lovely day in the country.
YEAR 1 EXPLORED GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES
NURSERY ENJOYED SENSORY PLAY YAAARRR 2 MADE PARROTS
RECEPTION COLLECTED APPLES FOR HOMEMADE CRUMBLE 46 | The Chronicle 2019-20
Pre-Prep Year 2 on the High Seas in Canterbury Year 2 sailed down the Stour in Canterbury in glorious September sunshine with Canterbury Historic River Tours. Having gained their sea legs, they then commandeered an abandoned pirate ship in Toddlers’ Cove playground! YEAR 1 ROLE‑PLAYED AS BRITISH WILDLIFE
NURSERY TOOK THE BUS
YEAR 2 DRESSED AS PIRATES AND MADE THEIR OWN PIRATE PUNCH
RECEPTION GOT TO GRIPS WITH HOCKEY
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Pre-Prep
YEAR 1 TEAM‑BUILDING
NURSERY EXPLORED AUTUMN LEAVES
YEAR 2 DREW FIREWORKS FOR BONFIRE NIGHT
G LA DYS
Welcome, Buttercup! RECEPTION LEARNED PHONICS WITH GLADYS THE GIRAFFE NURSERY NATIVITY LEARNING
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In the Autumn Term, we were very excited to welcome Buttercup the rabbit to the Nursery. Buttercup is a Continental Giant, but despite her size, she is incredibly gentle and has settled in very nicely! Buttercup reminded us of our Pre‑Prep values of being kind and using careful hands.
Pre-Prep
YEAR 1 AT CHRISTMAS LUNCH NURSERY MET FATHER CHRISTMAS
YEAR 2 COUNCIL MEMBERS DELIVERED THE CHRISTMAS POST
RECEPTION PASSED THE PARCEL
Year 1 at Meadow Grange Nursery With Christmas fast approaching, Year 1 went on a surprise trip. In the spirit of the season, they visited Meadow Grange Nursery in Blean to look at some stable animals. After tossing some apples to the pigs and hearing about how the donkeys visit the cathedral on Palm Sunday, they walked through pine‑scented Christmas trees pretending to be in an alpine forest. It was such a lovely morning out, with some of the children believing they had really been to Bethlehem and back!
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Pre-Prep 90th Anniversary Mural We are very proud of our phenomenal Pre‑Prep 90th anniversary mural, painted by talented artist Jane Tattersfield. Jane was commissioned to paint a Jungle Book‑themed scene on a stretch of blank wall to commemorate our 90th year on the Sturry site, which was opened by Rudyard Kipling in 1929. Kipling being a key figure in our school’s history, it seems fitting to have familiar characters from his classic novel gracing our walls. Shere Khan, Baloo, Mowgli, Kaa and others can now be seen strolling (and slithering) the hallway alongside Jane’s renderings of Pre‑Prep pets Buttercup the rabbit, Bertie the tortoise and, swimming along the bottom of the design, our aquarium fish. The mural also includes four parrots, representative of our four school houses – Cockas, Kakas, Keas and Macaws – bringing that special Junior King’s touch to the work. We think the result is a magnificent celebration of our 90 years in Sturry, sure to be enjoyed by pupils for many years to come.
YEAR 2 CREATED DRAGONS FOR CHINESE NEW YEAR
YEAR 1 LEARNED ABOUT JUDAISM
RECEPTION EXPLORED SPACE NURSERY USED TEAMWORK TO BUILD A BRIDGE
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Pre-Prep Year 1 Visit to Tonbridge Castle Having learned all about motte and bailey castles, Year 1 visited a real life example in February on their school trip to Tonbridge Castle. They even built their own version in class, with a papier‑mâché motte and clay houses for the bailey.
YEAR 2 LEARNED ABOUT THE YEAR OF THE RAT
NURSERY PUT ON A SHOW
RECEPTION GOT ACTIVE NURSERY OPENED A TOY SHOP
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Pre-Prep
YEAR 2 CELEBRATED PANCAKE DAY WITH A PANCAKE THEMED PE LESSON
World Book Day World Book Day saw some amazing characters take over Pre‑Prep. As well as dressing up for the day, everyone enjoyed a special treat: actor Alan Atkins visited each year group to give a dramatic reading of ‘Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy’, complete with hand puppets and different hats for all the characters, which were played by pupils.
NURSERY FLIPPED PLAY‑DOH PANCAKES RECEPTION HAD A PANCAKE DAY RACE
YEAR 1 INVESTIGATED DIFFERENT MATERIALS
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Pre-Prep Year 2 at Canterbury Cathedral Year 2 had a fascinating trip to Canterbury Cathedral in March, where they learnt all about the interesting materials used in its impressive construction. They also took part in a busy workshop designing shields, colouring stained glass windows, writing with a quill pen and ink, chiselling limestone, constructing the cathedral out of wooden blocks and mastering the pulley system to lift stone. A thoroughly enjoyable and informative trip!
YEAR 1 PLAYED WITH VICTORIAN TOYS
RECEPTION HIT THE KING’S RECREATION CENTRE
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S c h t s o e o r o l F During their time in the Pre‑Prep department, as well as the formal curriculum, children are given the opportunity to take part in Forest School activities. These take place in our own woodland site on the school grounds, Forest Park, and aim to provide experiential education – that is, interaction with the natural environment,
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which is proven to promote health, learning and emotional well‑being. Within this learning programme, the children develop a variety of life skills – independence, competence, cooperation, communication – and are encouraged to assess safety issues for themselves and others. The programme also intends to engender a sense of respect and appreciation for woodland and begin to instil an environmental ethic.
Pre-Prep
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Arts
ART Another busy year in Art, not to mention an unusual one. It has certainly been a sharp learning curve for all, most of all the Art teacher! That aside, the high standard and rich array of fantastic work produced remained the same as always. We started the year with the school’s 90th anniversary and a stunning collaborative mosaic crown, which currently hangs proud in reception. Our continued relationship with mosaic artist Hannah Griffiths facilitated this project, which saw every pupil from Year 3 to 8 creating a ‘90’ tile in their own design. We continued the term with props, costumes and backdrops made for the Middle School production of Peter Pan Jr. This year, we had an unprecedented number of pupils wanting to make costumes, which resulted in wonderful, varied outfits for many of the parts. Moving towards the Christmas holidays, the Friends’ Christmas Market provided the lunchtime art group an opportunity to produce some sparkling tree decorations, using the leftover sequins and ribbon from the 90th crown, and there was a particularly high standard of entrants this year for the Christmas Carol Service front cover design competition. So many, in fact, that we had to choose a number of winners! The extended art group on Monday and Thursday continues to expand and produce ever more exciting and challenging work. This year, four pupils applied for Art scholarships at 13+ level and we are very pleased that one external scholarship was received, along with three offers for the King’s School Art Excellence Programme. The Spring Term began with some more art being displayed around the school. Year 5 produced some really beautiful mandala‑inspired stained‑glass patterns. These are now bringing a shot of colour into the lunch hall through the higher windows. We also had another visiting artist come in to work with Year 8 as a resolution to their Mexican art project. Shelly Goldsmith is a world‑renowned textile artist who also works as a lecturer on the Textile and Fashion BA and MA courses at the University for the Creative Arts. Her work explores the relationship between images and textiles, and she uses a process of dye sublimation printing in her work. The pupils all had a chance to develop their ideas using this exciting process with some very impressive results. The second half of this year in Art has been interesting and quite a challenge. However, it has not seemed to have affected the quality and exuberance of pupils’ work! It has been an absolute pleasure to receive artwork daily and I hope the independent drive and imagination that the pupils have developed during these unprecedented times will further their enjoyment and achievement in this subject. Mrs Sylvester, Head of Art
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Arts Year 3
Year 4
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Arts Year 5
Year 6
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Arts Year 7
Year 8
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Arts
DESIGN TECHNOLOGY Design Technology is such an exciting subject to learn and to teach. Although we still explore the properties of traditional materials – timbers, metals and polymers – technology is always changing and new materials are constantly being developed, and so it is important to explore and get curious about these new resources. It was a privilege to take the Advanced Year 8 group to the Design Museum this year to learn about smart and modern materials and to see the work of the latest up and coming designers. The commitment and enthusiasm of the Year 6, 7 and 8 students during the afternoon and evening activity sessions has been wonderful to see. It has also been a delight to support the student‑led robotics club this year, with students across Years 5‑8 working together, solving different challenges and encouraging each other to advance their understanding of coding.
Year 8 Advanced DT at the Design Museum Our Year 8 Advanced DT group hit the Design Museum for the Beazley Designs of the Year 2019 exhibition. Pupils also learned about smart and sustainable materials and explored designs and new innovations in the Moving to Mars exhibition. Plenty to inspire curious minds!
To have each candidate for the Design Technology Scholarship recognised in different ways by the King’s School is a credit to their hard work, talents and ability. Congratulations to all students at Junior King’s for their imaginative and inventive outcomes this year. Keep creating! Miss French, Head of Design Technology
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Arts Year 3
Key projects Door hangers in MDF Mail holders in aluminium Vases in acrylic Dye sublimation bags with key rings
Designing images for the dye sublimation bags
Year 4
Key projects Appliqué book covers in knitted felt Bird/insect hotels in timber
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Arts Year 5
Key projects Peter Pan Jr‑themed automata Pop Art Clocks
Year 6
Key projects Pewter cast Roman‑themed bullas Boxed mazes with packaging
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Arts Year 7
Key projects Advanced Group tote boxes Advanced Group flying creatures Desk tidying caddy and eggcup holders
Reporting processes in the computer lab
Year 8
Key projects Money boxes Pencil cases
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Arts
DRAMA There were, of course, fewer events in the Drama calendar this year, but nonetheless what we did see was fantastic! Junior House and Pre‑Prep shone like the stars that they are in their fabulous Christmas performances. One of our best developments this year was all the new set that was made for Peter Pan Jr, both by pupils and professionally. I’m delighted to say that these will appear again in future productions as staples of our growing theatrical resources in the department. I think the children would agree that a great set really helps you get into your role. Another highlight for me was definitely the way that members of the Peter Pan cast performed at the opening of the Malthouse. This year we have continued to offer a wide range of graded exams, with children preparing for group and pair exams as well as exams in performing arts and musical theatre. I am continually impressed, as we all should be, that so many of our pupils reach Grade 5 and above, which is a fabulous achievement, especially considering some of them are in Year 6. Once drama teaching went online, stunning work continued to be prepared and I saw some lovely renditions of much‑loved monologues and prose readings done in some very creative ways, showing that our pupils are not only great performers but great independent learners too. We have been lucky to have fantastic supporting staff this year. Mr Atkins, Mr Lyle Condon, Mrs Swinford and Miss Melissa have provided fantastic teaching to pupils preparing for exams and scholarships in Dance and Drama. Mrs Willatts and Mr Taylor have continued to provide exciting opportunities for pupils, both in school and out and it’s been a huge bonus to have Mr Taylor introducing his very well‑attended technical theatre group, which meant that our entire stage crew for Peter Pan was made up of pupils! Mrs Öbo, Head of Drama
Rehearsing at the Malthouse Theatre The Malthouse Campus at the senior school was opened in November by Joanna Lumley. Some of the cast of the Middle School production of Peter Pan Jr were present at the Grand Opening, attending a workshop in the new drama and dance studios, part of the amazing facilities of the Malthouse Theatre.
Enoch (Year 8) made his Gulbenkian debut in ‘The Marxist in Heaven’, which was part of the National Theatre Connections programme, which commissions ten new plays annually for young people to perform. This year, Mr Taylor introduced a new activity to the already wide variety of extracurriculars on offer: the Performance Support Award. A national award organised by the Schools Theatre Support Group, this is aimed at secondary school pupils who want to study the technical aspects of theatre. Amongst other things, this year, pupils have studied how to rig theatre lights and programme them in a series of cues, how to put together a sound system and the basic running of a stage during rehearsals and final shows. Mr Taylor was really impressed with the pupils’ efforts and maturity this year and looks forward to offering the programme again. The Chronicle 2019-20 | 65
Arts Pre‑Prep Christmas Show The delightful Pre‑Prep Christmas show is always a highlight of the end of the Autumn Term. The children performed with confidence and charmed the audience. From the props, scenery and costumes through to the dances and songs, everyone was well and truly in the Christmas spirit by the final curtain.
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Arts Junior House Production – Telling Tales What links a morality tale from Turkey about a hungry coat; a story about a very important Tudor hat; the exploits of a cheeky young Tutankhamen; and The Great British Bake Off, Mount Olympus style? Why, it was the Junior House play, Telling Tales! Junior House’s anthology of stories was enchanting and huge fun too. The children were encouraged to take ownership of the production, making many of the creative decisions themselves,
from the pieces they performed to casting and staging choices. This really shone through in the humour injected into each of the four mini‑plays, with everyone’s dedication to the final product palpable in the performances. A big achievement!
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Arts Middle School Production – Peter Pan Jr In February, audiences were transported from Sturry to Neverland via Middle School’s three‑performance run of Peter Pan Jr in the Barn. Six months in the making, the cast brought this modern version of J. M. Barrie’s tale of a boy who wouldn’t grow up to life. With the stage decked out to represent everything from the Darling children’s bedroom to the Lost Boys’ den and the high seas of Neverland, the production was vibrant and fun, full of fabulous song and dance, with a number of ingenious set pieces thrown in,
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including the use of actor‑operated puppets during the “flying” scenes! In addition to the performance itself, pupils’ hard work was evident in the details of the props, costumes and set, all of which saw input from the children themselves. The stage crew, too, was comprised of pupils, making the production a real team effort and something for everyone to be proud of, no matter what role they played in the creation of the final product.
Arts
What a talented array of fine actors, singers and dancers we have, and what a bright and excitingly creative future ahead, awaiting them. The costumes, sets, props and effects were magical. Huge thanks to the production team, led by Mrs Öbo and Mr Taylor, for all their hard work and inspiration. Mrs Károlyi
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Arts
MUSIC This has been an extraordinary year for Music, with one of the most talented Year 8 groups that I can remember and a large and diverse body of musicians throughout the school. The lockdown meant that, sadly, we were forced to cancel our 90th anniversary concert in March. We were looking forward to welcoming back alumni to play in a large orchestra and the whole school had been working hard to learn a cantata about Thomas Becket entitled ‘King and Conscience’. The remote Summer Term has, however, allowed us to experiment with new ideas. There have been many interesting compositions that have been sent by pupils in all years from home, as well as a series of informal ‘Zoom’ concerts which linked our musicians up around the world. In one concert we had performers from China and Bahrain, as well as many in the UK, all performing at the same event, with a programme to print out and follow at home. As well as our four music scholars to King’s, there were national honours, with Year 7s Alex and Emily Y continuing with their membership of the National Youth Choir organisation and Isabelle S‑S (Year 6) successfully auditioning for the National Children’s Choir. Oliver (Year 4) continued in the National Children’s Orchestra and with his Saturday studies at the Royal Academy of Music. Joe (Year 8) also travelled up to the Royal Academy every Saturday and Xiao Xiao (Year 7) succeeded in gaining a place at the Guildhall School of Music for September. Instrumental lessons continued to flourish through the year, and many continued remotely during the lockdown. We have enjoyed hearing a large variety of ensembles at concerts and school events, including instrumental groups, rock bands and our large orchestra. Middle School went to the opera in November, spending an afternoon at the Marlowe Theatre hearing ‘L’elisir d’amore’ by Donizetti, performed by the outstanding Glyndebourne Touring Opera. At Christmas, we said goodbye to Rosemary Rathbone, our flute teacher, who had completed nearly 40 years at Junior King’s, and another long‑serving member of staff, Rachel Waltham, our cello teacher, retires this Summer. We were very sad to hear of the death of our former piano teacher, Miss Elizabeth de la Porte, who had only stepped down from her Junior King’s teaching last Summer. In September we welcomed three new piano teachers: Mr Alex Bennett, Dr David Knotts and Mr Jamie Rogers and then our new flute teacher, Mrs Stina Wilson, joined in January. Our “foyer playlist” has become a popular part of life in the music school. It features an eclectic mix of music and plays all day from 8am. Lots of new pieces have been added during the lockdown to greet our return in the future. I’m constantly amazed and heartened by the huge wave of musical talent and enthusiasm throughout the school. We can’t wait to get everything up and running again and for music to be filling the school once more. Mr Frost, Director of Music
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Arts Summer ‘19 Endeavours Arushi (Year 8) took part in the Kent Youth Wind Orchestra course at Benenden School. Three of our pupils sang in the National Youth Choir: Alex (Year 7) sang in the National Youth Boys’ Choir, which presented a concert in Birmingham, and Emily Y (Year 7) and Abigail (OJKS, now at King’s) were on the National Youth Girls’ Choir Course, which ended with a concert in Saffron Walden.
St Cecilia’s Day Concert
The St Cecilia’s Day concert was outstanding and showcased many of our talented Year 8 soloists and the various musical ensembles we have at the school. Mrs Károlyi
Chapel Choir We were lucky to have another fantastic Chapel Choir this year, with parity between boys and girls (21 of each) and a wonderful blend of voices. The choir was ably led by Head Choristers, Arushi and Noah. The Carol Service was the highlight, with a good mix of musical styles, and staff and parents adding to the mix in two of the pieces. Our proposed Choir Tour to France, Germany and Luxembourg, with us based in Metz, unfortunately had to be postponed due to the lockdown but we hope to run it in the future!
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Arts Oliver’s Cello Success Music Workshops There was another successful series of workshops this year, starting with a Piano Workshop in October with Will Dutta, a locally‑based composer and pianist who works particularly with live electronic music. There were many performers from right throughout the school. Sadly Tony Halstead, world‑famous horn player who lives in East Kent, was unwell for the Brass Workshop but fortunately our trombone teacher, Susan White, was able to step in and help all of our brass players. There was a wonderful Percussion Workshop with Ross Garrod, who put our drummers and orchestral percussionists through their paces. In the Spring Term, Ian Swatman, clarinettist and Head of Musical Performance at St Edmund’s School, was our guest and, in the final concert before the lockdown, Greg Tassell led our Singers’ Workshop. Many thanks to all who took part. These events are really good for improving your playing and performance skills!
Oliver (Year 4) has had a busy year. He gained two distinctions in the Maidstone Music Festival in November, achieving first place in the advanced class. In February he performed in the primary RAM open day concert and the Stratford and East London festival, where he won first place trophies in three classes, receiving an outstanding mark. He also won the instrumental runner up prize at the Rotary district young musician competition. Well done, Oliver!
New Digital Organ A gorgeous new digital organ was purchased this year, allowing pupils to take lessons in the music school. It looks very smart in the Recital Room, where it’s already been put to good use by our organists.
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Arts
Isabelle (Year 6) gained a place in the National Children’s Choir
Senior Musicians’ Concert In the lead up to their senior school scholarship auditions, six talented instrumentalists from Year 8, Arushi, Will H, Thomas, Joe, Dayyan and Nathan, performed both in front of the school in assembly time and at the Senior Musicians’ Concert in the Old Synagogue in Canterbury. The concert showcased their talents and gave them an opportunity to polish their performances before their auditions.
Xiao Xiao (Year 7) was accepted into the Junior Guildhall Music Programme
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Humanities
HUMANITIES
Year 5 received a talk on Sikhism in RS
Year 6 made climate boxes in Geography
Our bilingual pupils have done some outstanding work this year. Our bilingual provision is creative and individual‑focused, with pupils given the chance to explore topics they are interested in in their second language. Some of the pupils produced their own research projects this year, exploring a topic in depth and producing a final piece of work. The children were invited to be creative and we saw some lovely projects as a result. Year 6 brought performance to their Latin studies, acting out a scene from their textbooks where a rude joke told at a barber results in a very close shave for a customer!
Year 4 sorting through a suitcase of evidence in History
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Humanities Year 8 Spanish Exchange in Madrid We wished ‘buen viaje’ to the Year 8s in the Autumn Term as they departed to spend a week in Madrid with their pen pals. On the first day, they went to CEU, our partner school, and our pupils had an Art lesson in Spanish. Everyone then spent the weekend with their pen pals’ families and took part in typical Spanish activities with them. The next week saw a visit to the Real Madrid football stadium and museums such as the Museum of Art Reina Sofía and La Granja, which is the Royal winter palace. A memorable trip indeed!
Year 3 created a timeline in History
Well done to Will and Luca (Year 7), who qualified for the second round of the Townsend‑Warner History Prize
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Humanities
Year 6 Jewish Morning In November, we welcomed Rabbi Cliff Cohen from the Thanet and District Reform Synagogue, who came and spoke to Year 6 at their Jewish Morning. Our amazing kitchen staff prepared some wonderful Jewish food for everyone to enjoy – potato latkes (eaten at Hanukkah), challah bread and hamantaschen biscuits (eaten at Purim) – and pupils made dreidels (spinning tops used to play a game at Hanukkah). When studying world faiths it is so important to hear directly from community members and we would like to thank Rabbi Cliff for coming to see us.
Year 4 did a History walk in the school grounds
Years 5 and 6 learned about Mardi Gras in French
Year 3 were visited by a local farmer in Geography. He told us all about the crops he grows on his farm and brought in some of his delicious produce. 76 | The Chronicle 2019-20
Humanities Year 6 Humanities Trip to Fordwich Year 6 had a fascinating trip to Fordwich, the smallest town in Britain, taking in the church and town hall. They even got to act out a courtroom scene!
Author Visit: Alex Scarrow Years 7 and 8 had an inspiring and extremely energetic visit from historical fantasy author, Alex Scarrow, creator of the popular TimeRiders series, in February. Using an array of voices as well as physical humour, Alex shared his journey from wannabe rock star through graphic artist, computer games designer and screenplay writer to successful author. Alex then read aloud from the opening chapters of the first TimeRiders novel. You could have heard a pin drop in the dramatic pauses as Alex read almost entirely from memory, pacing the floor and acting out the scene.
Tristan’s model of Fordwich’s town hall
The talk finished with an opportunity for the audience to ask questions, which allowed pupils to find out more about Alex’s inspiration and writing process. Then came the opportunity to buy books and have them signed by the author. The length of the queue at the sales desk confirmed the success of the morning, as did the enthusiasm for reading the titles evident in the library and classrooms for the rest of the Lent Term.
Some of our bilingual pupils had their work featured in the King’s School’s student‑run languages journal, The Globalist.
Year 3 in Sandwich Year 3 took in some Tudor history in Sandwich, visiting the courthouse and looking at the historical buildings. The children loved getting outside the classroom and putting their learning into context! The Chronicle 2019-20 | 77
Humanities
Year 4 made a Roman tortoise formation in History
Year 3 learned about the village of Chembakolli in India in Geography. 3L made a model of the village and 3AW made the houses.
Year 7 in Greenwich Year 7 enjoyed a joint History and Geography trip to Greenwich. It was a busy day, which saw visits to the National Maritime Museum, the Royal Observatory and the Meridian Line in Greenwich Park.
Year 5 at Canterbury Cathedral Year 5 explored Canterbury Cathedral. We are so lucky to have this amazing piece of history on our doorstep!
Year 4 wrote letters to their French pen pals
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Humanities Year 4 at Dover Museum Year 4 examined artefacts from Roman times and got stuck into an art workshop, using clay to create Roman soldier heads. They painted them back at school to fearsome effect!
History Essay Extract: The Battle of Crug Mawr, 1136 The Norman conquest of England began in 1066 and was completed within four years. From this was born the modern‑day country of England; a single, unified state under one ruler comprising of Saxons, Danes and Normans. But they weren’t finished there. To the west lay a country known by its natives as “Cymru” and to the English as “Wales”. Wales at the time was starkly the opposite to England, a nation of warring kings and tribes, who were only concerned with their own affairs and couldn’t care less about the politics of the rest of Britain. Yet this would play to their advantage and the conquest of Wales was a slow and bloody one. However, by the year 1135, Wales was on its knees; the south eastern kingdoms of Gwent, Glywysing and Brycheiniog were overrun, Deheubarth annexed and even the powerful states of Gwynedd and Powys were on the verge of collapse. Then something quite remarkable happened. Henry l of England died whilst campaigning in France without an heir, which sparked civil war. The Welsh seized the opportunity to regain their lands right away, which would only end in one of the largest and most decisive battles on British soil, Crug Mawr. Will S (Year 8)
History Essay Extract: Does Charles II Deserve to be Known as the Merry Monarch? Charles II was crowned in 1660, after a period of time called the interregnum, where Oliver Cromwell ruled as “lord protector”. He had lived his life in a castle in France, until Cromwell hopped it, and his triumphant return heralded a new period in England’s history, one where Christmas wasn’t banned, and where you weren’t a criminal for going to the theatre. History remembers him as the merry monarch, a massive party animal and
a decent king. But does he deserve the moniker of the merry monarch? Or is the title of tyrant a better fit? Assuming that a merry monarch is a king who enjoyed life and had fun, yes, in some ways, he fits the bill. But in others, he definitely fits into the latter category. I believe that, on the whole, Charles is far from being the fun‑loving fop that we know him as. Alex G (Year 7)
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Sciences
SCIENCES Primary Mathematics Challenge Years 5 and 6 took part in the Primary Mathematics Challenge in November, putting their logic and problem‑solving skills to the test. 44 pupils were awarded certificates. 20 pupils received Bronze certificates, 18 Silver and 6 achieved Gold by scoring 18 or more out of 25. A fantastic achievement by everyone, with particular congratulations to Larry, Arjun, Tristan, Hanshuo, Rufus and Chloe, pictured here with their Gold certificates – everyone rose to the challenge with determination.
Year 3 learned about number bonds in Maths
Year 6 recorded voice‑overs and produced their own videos on their hobbies in Computing
Year 4 learned about friction
Year 8 studied circuits in Physics
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Sciences
Year 3 created their own magnet games
Year 7 took part in a nature trail in the school grounds to learn about woodland seasonal adaptations with environmental educator, Clive Nuttman.
UKMT Team Maths Challenge The UKMT (United Kingdom Mathematics Trust) Team Maths Challenge is a competition which gives pupils the opportunity to tackle a variety of engaging mathematical activities while developing teamwork and communication skills.
Year 3 developed their presentation skills as they imagined what robots would be like in the future. They created their own PowerPoints and used them to present their ideas to the whole class.
Cameron and Purnesh (Year 8) teamed up with two Year 9 pupils from the King’s School (including OJKS pupil Yolanda) for the Regional Finals which were held at Ashford School on 10 March. They competed in four rounds: Group Round, Crossnumber, Shuttle and Relay. Our team came third out of 14 schools in the East Kent region and received Bronze Certificates. Well done, Cameron and Purnesh!
Year 6 created baubles out of 3D shapes in Maths
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Sciences
Year 5 created their own storybooks in Computing
5C studied the phases of the moon with Oreos
Year 7 Science Afternoon Year 7 got their first taste of Science at the senior school at the annual Year 7 Science Afternoon in March. The afternoon was split into three classes, covering Chemistry, Physics and Geology. Aided by helpful, friendly King’s students, each class engaged its group of pupils in a practical experiment. Things went pop and fizz in Chemistry, with pupils donning lab coats and goggles to test the reactivity of different metals in test tubes of acid. In Physics, Year 7’s construction skills were put to the test with a challenge to build a tower using only pipe cleaners and sellotape, with the winning structure being the tallest tower that could hold an egg above the ground for ten seconds. Year 7 were also given their first taste of Geology, putting themselves in the shoes of geologists in Montserrat, working out when to evacuate residents in advance of a volcanic eruption, simulated through a set‑up featuring a clamp holding a party popper (the “volcano”) to which a series of weights were added. It was clear to see how much the pupils enjoyed their trip and it’s wonderful that our close links to the senior school can provide benefits to our pupils through events like this. In just over a year, many will be back in these same labs to continue their adventure in Science.
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Sciences
Year 7 brushed up on their problem‑solving in Mangahigh
Year 3 identified different types of rocks
Year 4 used Excel to display survey results in Computing
Year 8 Visit to Bletchley Park You would be forgiven for thinking that a 7:30am departure, sat‑nav hiccups, a visit to an M25 service station in the torrential rain and an 8:45pm arrival back at Junior King’s would point to a less than enjoyable school trip; however, our trip to Bletchley Park and the National Museum of Computing was anything but. What a day! On arriving at Bletchley Park, we heard all about the vitally important work carried out by men and women there during the war. We tried to wrap our heads around the complexity of the enigma machine, then how on earth mathematicians, led by Alan Turing, were able to decipher messages. We were even allowed to type on a captured Enigma machine to see how it worked. After lunch, we went to the National Museum of Computing. From World War II machines to Sega Mega Drives, we learnt about how computing has developed. Pupils and staff alike were fascinated and sad to leave after a whirlwind of learning.
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Sciences
Junior House Science Morning Junior House enjoyed a colourful Science Morning in March. Dr Nelson, Head of Science Outreach at the senior school, gave a really inspiring assembly with a whole host of demonstrations that showed off how exciting science is and how it forms the building blocks of the world around us. The rest of the morning saw everyone undertaking three very different activities: trying to build the tallest tower possible that could hold a marshmallow using only dried spaghetti, string and masking tape; crushing up rock salt and purifying it into pure white salt; and looking at the visible light spectrum and the colours the human eye can see.
Year 5 did a sound survey in the grounds
Year 6 experimented with Newton meters in Science
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In their Computing lessons, Year 7 learnt about the basics of HTML coding, creating a web page in HTML to advertise an imaginary band’s world tour.
Sport
SPORT
Boys’ Games enjoyed two fantastic terms of sport, managing to get in full seasons of football, rugby and hockey, with all age groups participating with enthusiasm and commitment, before things came to an abrupt end in a way in which we will never forget.
The Girls’ Games department continues to be very
In football, our U9A team were runners up in the Spring Grove Tournament. Our U11A team won the Plate at the Metherell Cup, and our U13A team came third in the Shapira Cup and were runners up in the Molten League. Our senior teams, however, are particularly worthy of mention. Throughout the season, our U13B, C, D and E teams all remained unbeaten, whilst our U13A team lost only one game. To go through an entire season with only one loss between five teams is certainly a special feat.
impressed with the commitment, enthusiasm and
This success continued into the rugby season as the U13A team won the Foster Cup 7s without conceding a single try, and furthermore completed a second fully unbeaten season (having achieved the same feat the year before as U12s).
hope that you have enjoyed the weekly updates.
Just as we thought that we could not do any better, the hockey season came along bringing two achievements for boys’ sport that have never before been accomplished. The U13A team won the Regional IAPS tournament (and so qualified for the National Finals at Cheltenham College) as well as the highly prestigious Maylam Cup. This is hockey of the very highest quality indeed, and it was a real shame that our combined hockey tour to Holland was postponed whilst the boys were performing at their peak. Unfortunately, the cricket season never happened but I have a strong feeling that it too would have produced something pretty special.
busy and it has been wonderful to see so many girls taking part in competitive sport, across all sections of the school. We strive to provide sport for one and all and, as always, I have been so progress that all the girls made each term. Unfortunately, we have been unable to take part in summer sports this year, but, across the year groups, the hockey and netball teams have achieved some excellent results in both regular fixtures and tournaments in Kent and the East of England. As the year has progressed, we have included many of the highlights in The Week and
As a department, the Girls’ Games’ staff devote a huge amount of time and dedication to coaching and preparing the girls for fixtures and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for the endless amount of time and energy that they devote to their teams. Finally, my thanks go to all of the girls; you have contributed a huge amount to the success of the department and it has been an absolute delight to watch you develop as sportswomen. I wish all of our leavers the very best for the future and wish them well for their sporting careers. Miss Scott‑Kilvert, Head of Girls’ Games
Despite the shortened year, it has been great to see so many boys represent both the school and their houses with such great passion and determination. Not only have they demonstrated high skill levels, but more importantly they have exhibited excellent sportsmanship and team play throughout. All this, of course, could not be achieved without the encouragement and commitment of our wonderful coaching staff, to whom we express our thanks and gratitude. We certainly all look forward to things returning to normal as soon as possible. Mr Jamieson, Director of Sport
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Sport
Our Middle School girls enjoyed the Kent Prep Schools Hockey Festival at Birleys
Silver Medals at the Sutton Valence Tournament The U11A hockey team took part in the Sutton Valence tournament. They won their pool without conceding a goal, won their semi‑final 1‑0 and then drew the final with Ashford 0‑0, with Ashford finally scoring the winning goal in extra time. Some well‑earned silver medals!
The 1st XI came third in the Shapira Cup
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Metherell Cup The Colts A Football Team won the Plate Competition of the Metherell Cup, beating St Edmund’s 1‑0 in the final.
Sport
Oscar’s Swimming Success Oscar (Year 6) won seven medals at his Club Championships in September: four gold, two silver and one bronze. In February, he swam in the Kent Championships. Qualifying in all 13 races, Oscar raced in nine, winning five silver, two bronze and two finalists’ medals as well as achieving seven personal best times.
IAPS Regional Plate Champs The U11A hockey team took part in the IAPS Regional Finals at Hurstpierpoint College. They beat Hurstpierpoint in the quarter‑finals and St Bede’s in the semi‑finals, finally drawing 2‑2 with Sutton Valence in the final to become joint Plate champions.
Some amazing achievements, well done, Oscar!
Fencing – Manchester Elite Series Year 6s Jack and Tristan fenced in the Manchester Elite Series in November. With only one defeat in group stages, the boys met in the quarter finals with Jack winning on this occasion. Both gave excellent performances, with Tristan coming sixth and Jack placing first.
U13A hockey team: bronze medallists in the Plate competition at the IAPS qualifiers
Kit and Finn (Year 5) took part in the England Rugby Travel Minis Rugby Festival for Canterbury RFC. They played two matches and won both of them. Well done, boys! The Chronicle 2019-20 | 87
Sport Fourth in the East of England After an unbeaten series of matches in the County Tier 1 tournament in October, the U11A hockey team qualified for the regional finals of the In2Hockey Competition. After travelling to Ipswich for these in November, the girls played some impressive hockey in all their matches. A tremendous 1‑0 win against Culford School eventually took them through to the matches to determine places 1‑4, where the girls took fourth. Amazing team work and spirit from all!
Zara Rides High Zara (Year 7) competed for the King’s School and came fifth in the Grassroots Regional Show Jumping Championships at 70cm.
At the opening of the King’s School’s Malthouse fencing salle
Joint third at the U13A Kent In2Hockey Tournament
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Silver medals for our U9A football team at the Spring Grove football tournament
Sport
Celia (Year 8) participated in Gymfusion
Foster Cup Winners In January, our U13A and B rugby teams took part in our own Foster Cup 7s Festival. Particular distinction goes to the A team who not only won the Cup itself, but also went through the entire afternoon without losing a game and without even conceding a single try – a special feat indeed.
Kent School Games Rowing Members of the rowing squad competed in the Kent School Games Rowing Qualifiers at Greenacre Academy near Chatham. The event consisted of individual races and relays, with everyone performing wonderfully and some impressive times recorded. In the relays, one of our teams finished 5th and the other 7th.
Our basketball team has been developing
Győző Kulcsár Memorial Fencing Competition Together with over 600 other young fencers from around Europe, Year 6 pupils Jack and Tristan and former pupil Oleg (now at King’s) travelled to Budapest in January to compete in the Győző Kulcsár Memorial Competition. Both Tristan and Jack fenced extremely well, with Jack’s consistency on this occasion providing him with the edge to help him reach 16th place. Tristan, after some extremely close matches, ended up finishing 63rd. Oleg lost narrowly to the eventual silver medallist and finished 47th. After the event, Mr Miller took the boys to the famous Sir Lancelot Restaurant where they enjoyed a medieval feast. This was a fantastic experience for the boys, with a big thanks due to Mr Miller, who took them to the event. Well done, Jack, Tristan and Oleg! The Chronicle 2019-20 | 89
Sport
Our fencers attended the first King’s School Challenge event at the wonderful new Malthouse fencing salle
Ashford Rugby Festival Our U8 and U9 rugby teams had a great morning at the Ashford Rugby Festival. The boys all played well, with the U8s awarded ‘best defending team’.
U13A Rugby Team Goes Undefeated
The U11 boys’ hockey team trained with GB player (and OJKS) James Oates
Congratulations to Year 3 pupils Serena, who passed her Grade 1 ballet exam, and Kayesha, who received a class award from Dance Warehouse. Well done, girls! 90 | The Chronicle 2019-20
The U13A rugby team had an incredible run this year, closing their season undefeated. Even more astonishingly, this is the second year this same team has been entirely unbeaten. An amazing achievement!
Sport
The U11A netball team were bronze medallists in the Plate Competition of the Regional IAPS Tournament
IAPS Regional Hockey Champions Our U13 boys’ hockey team became regional IAPS champions in February. They passed through the group stages, quarter and semi‑finals without conceding a single goal. Meeting Felsted School in the final they conceded their only goal of the tournament but still came out on top with a 2‑1 win. The team went on to play in the national finals at Cheltenham College where they reached the Plate quarter‑finals. A fantastic achievement for the whole team.
Celebrating 90 Years of Fencing We celebrated 90 years of fencing at King’s at the end of February with a Hungary v GB exhibition match and dinner featuring world champions and medal winners from the 2016 Olympics. Junior King’s pupils also had the chance to train with fencing World Champions and 2016 Olympic Medal winners. This was an amazing opportunity to learn from Andras Redli, Peter Somfai and Andras Peterdi from the Hungarian Team in the purpose‑built Malthouse fencing salle.
Our U11 boys’ hockey players won their first match at the IAPS hockey qualifier
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Sport
The U13A boys’ hockey team won the Maylam Cup
The U13A netball team reached the Plate quarter‑finals in the national IAPS finals
Congratulations to Tom (Year 5) who played in the winning Canterbury Junior Hockey Club team at the U10 Boys’ County Hockey Championship.
OJKS: Sporting Successes Former Junior King’s pupils Matt Stonier and Charlie Watson have had incredible years in their respective fields of cross country running and rugby. Matt finished his season this year with six major victories and two national titles under his belt: English Schools Champion and Under‑20 UK Inter‑Counties Champion. Charlie played rugby in the England U20 squad against Ireland, made his debut for Saracens and played for Cambridge in the Varsity Match.
The Kakas were victorious in this year’s inter‑house cross country race. A huge well done to all those who took part, but especially to Jasper J and Misha (Year 7), who broke school records in the Year 7 race and the mixed Upper School race respectively. 92 | The Chronicle 2019-20
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Extracurricular Activities
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES We were able to enjoy two wonderful terms of our diverse, dynamic extracurricular evening activity programme this year before schooling went online for the Summer Term. Through the programme, we aim to offer pupils the opportunity to learn new skills, to discover new hobbies and interests and to pursue existing ones. The activities below ran in Autumn and Lent for Middle and Upper School, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, with most activities offered in both terms.
Advanced Design Technology
Musical Theatre/Dance
Animation
Netball
Basketball
Orchestra
Board Games
Pre‑Season Rugby Training
Boarders In‑House
Prep
Chandler’s Crafts
Relax, Chat and Sew
Chapel Choir
Rowing
Chess
Speech and Drama
Code Club
Squash
Cookery
Student Newsletter
Craft/Crochet
Swimming
EAL Relax and Read Group
Table Tennis
Extension Art
Technical Theatre
Fencing
Tennis Coaching
Film Club
Townsend Warner Prize/
Fun iPad Activities Golf Hockey Tour Practice Horse Riding Middle School Play Rehearsals (Peter Pan Jr)
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History Club U11 Boys’ Hockey U11 Cricket U13 Netball Year 7 Play Yoga
Extracurricular Activities
OUTINGS DAY Our annual Outings Day provides a real opportunity for outside‑the‑classroom learning experiences, with each year group visiting a different location in the surrounding area for the day. The lucky Year 7s get to enjoy an extended trip to Kingswood adventure centre in Ashford, which spans three days. Despite some damp September weather on this year’s Outings Day, all year groups enjoyed getting out of the classroom to see and try new things. The world beyond the school gates is big and waiting to be explored!
Outings Day – Year 3 at the Rare Breeds Centre
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Extracurricular Activities Outings Day – Year 4 at Wingham Wildlife Park
Outings Day – Year 5 at Chatham Dockyard
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Extracurricular Activities Outings Day – Year 6 at Leeds Castle
Outings Day – Year 7 at Kingswood
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Extracurricular Activities Outings Day – Year 8 in Rye
Middle School TASC DAY Middle School threw themselves into their annual TASC Day this year. TASC stands for “thinking actively in a social context”, with the day requiring the children to work in small groups on a challenge with the aim of building a core set of skills. Working in mixed groups of Year 5s and Year 6s, pupils were tasked to come up with an event that Middle School could run to raise money for charity. They had to plan the
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logistics, look at costings, write a letter to parents, look at marketing and come up with a two minute presentation. The results they achieved were fantastic; they demonstrated so many of the skills that we are looking to develop in young people: collaboration, decision making, respect, compromise, empathy, creativity, leadership, resilience and, above all, they enjoyed their learning. Well done to all of our Middle School pupils!
House Pride
HOUSE
I X
PRIDE
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House Pride
COCKAS This has been a great year for Cockas House, even though we have only physically been at school for two terms. I remember the Autumn Term of 2016, long ago now, and the reactions on the faces of pupils, particularly Year 8s when we won the parrot. For terms afterwards, we have heard the announcement of Macaws and Kakas winning, always hoping it would be us; we came close. I was delighted for the house when we finally won the much coveted parrot in December 2019, and I could see how much that meant to everyone. My sincere thanks to Lily and Sam who have been super heads of house and to everyone else for your continued loyalty and support. Who are we...? COCKAS! Mr Lapthorn, Head of Cockas
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House Pride
KAKAS What a year this has been! I want to thank everyone in Kakas for their continued effort and tremendous house spirit. You made me so proud during the Autumn Term in winning the cross country and the house song competition, and although the parrot eluded us, it did not dampen our resolve. Sadly, we have missed many of the events we would normally enjoy over the last two terms and at the time of writing this I do not know the winning house for the Lent or Summer Term. If it was awarded for respect, readiness and resilience, there would surely be a blue ribbon around the parrot’s neck. I’m so looking forward to seeing you again in September. Go Kakas! Mrs Chandler, Head of Kakas
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House Pride
KEAS We have a special group of people in Keas. From our Junior House champions to the long‑serving staff, I take such pride and enjoyment from the times we share together. My fondest memories of this year have been when wearing the yellow of our mad house. I have rarely felt such crushing disappointment as after the house song competition but, then again, I have rarely had such fun as when we all performed ‘The Loco‑Motion’ together. A global emergency put an end to Sports Day, Swimming Galas and so many house meetings and memories, but it has not dampened our spirit. My heart swelled with joy when we met remotely for our online meetings instead. It really felt that we were together again. I cannot sum up the year without heaping praise upon Emmie and Bryan. We could not have asked for better house leaders. They have been committed, kind, creative, helpful and resourceful. Their leadership has inspired me throughout this year and will continue to do so into the future. And now to the rest of our leavers. You have all brought so much to the Keas house in so many ways and we thank you dearly for it. We wish you the very best and when we win the parrot (this year or the year after, or the year after that…) it will be dedicated to you. Mr McKeating, Head of Keas
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House Pride
MACAWS I have had another incredibly enjoyable year leading the Macaws. All the members of the house who took part in the house song competition and cross country before Christmas did so with a fantastic attitude and I am extremely proud of their efforts. It has been a very different year for a variety of reasons. We unfortunately missed out on a number of house events over the past two terms; however, despite this disappointment, spirits were high in the Macaws camp. I would like to say a massive thank you to the Year 8s, who helped to lead the house in the challenging times and keep our spirits high with their inspiring words of wisdom during our ‘virtual’ house meetings on Teams in the Summer Term. Well done to every single Macaw and I can’t wait to challenge for the parrot again next year. Mr Smith, Head of Macaws
Parrot artwork by William H (Year 8)
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Junior King’s Online
JUNIOR KING’S ONLINE A Very Different Summer Term
Just before the end of the Lent Term in March, under orders from the government, schools across the UK closed their doors to prevent the further spread of the novel coronavirus. This extraordinary time in the life of our school saw the launch of a new chapter in Junior King’s history as we began to deliver our education remotely, with staff bringing their lessons online for pupils to access from lockdown, whether locally in the UK or overseas in their home countries.
Inspired by their pre‑lockdown visit to Canterbury Cathedral, Year 2 made their own architectural models out of materials found at home. Agnes and Elliot produced these architectural wonders.
The aim of the online programme was to provide the best education possible remotely, with breadth of learning, established routine, balance of screen time with creative opportunities and maintained high standards of pastoral care paramount. It is a testament to our pupils that they were able to adapt to the new remote learning so quickly and with such resilience amongst the disruption to normal life. With our wonderful community of pupils, teachers and parents rising to the occasion and pulling together to ensure continuity of education, some excellent work was produced. On the pages that follow, you will see a snapshot of what pupils accomplished away from their classrooms; a glimpse into a very different Summer Term.
Year 6 made Medieval monarch timelines; here’s a colourful section from George’s
Santino (Year 3) with his colour wave
Year 5 designed sets in Drama; here’s Aadham’s ‘Honk!’ set
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Our doors remained open throughout the lockdown to the children of key workers. Over the Easter holidays they dug for victory in the school vegetable patch and built a Junior King’s scarecrow to keep the birds at bay.
Junior King’s Online
Junior King’s Community Contributions With demand for PPE (personal protective equipment) in the news daily, and the protection of our amazing NHS staff paramount, a number of Junior King’s staff were able to use their knowledge and skills to contribute to efforts to tackle the coronavirus. Teaming up with the King’s School’s Head of DT, Mr Rolison, Junior King’s DT Technician Miss Rooke worked from home with the school’s 3D printer to produce frames for protective face shields, using the school’s stock of PLA. The shields themselves were made from PET at the senior school, with the frames then attached to the shields and the finished product delivered to frontline workers at the Kent & Canterbury Hospital. Meanwhile, Mrs Öbo was busy sewing scrubs and laundry bags for hospital workers, as well as protective clothing for local teachers. Many staff members were involved in this drive, with help ranging from donating materials to picking up needles and thread themselves.
Poetry My teacher said, “let’s study a sonnet!” It really made me want to vomit. He said, “I wish you enjoyed poetry, Well, leave the challenge up to me.” Later, we studied the poem ‘Stealing’, This gave me an uneasy feeling. “You will love it!” the teacher said now, And eventually I did – somehow. Finally, we studied ‘Flannan Isle’, Surely this would not make me smile. But after I read this it grew on me, It grew like bark might on a tree. And, Mr Allen this poem was me, About my changed mind on poetry. Year 8 produced dazzling optical illusions in Art; pieces by Sonny, Isaac, Freddie and Celia
Flavia (Year 7)
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Junior King’s Online
The Great Junior King’s VE Day Bake Off Mrs Károlyi set a baking challenge to celebrate VE Day. We received so many beautiful bakes, which were featured in The Week newsletter. Here’s a reminder of some of the delicious things pupils baked up.
Year 1’s Early Morning Story and Greeting was a fun way to start the day. Daniel is listening to Mrs Roots read ‘Pretty Salma’.
Reception made their own Very Hungry Caterpillars; Luca had some help with his
Year 5 studied “structures” in DT and were assigned a treasure trove of different tasks to complete in their homes. One of their challenges was to build the tallest tower possible with the smallest footprint using limited materials: only ten pieces of A4 paper and tape. Here are Adam and Indie with their towers. 106 | The Chronicle 2019-20
Year 4 studied Van Gogh in Art; work by Tina and Ewan
Junior King’s Online
Spring in Junior King’s As the breezy wind blows through the gate of Junior King’s, We are now welcoming the sight of spring. Follow me, Into spring! The golden light of sun Splashes onto the ground. It’s a blessing from God That has given us a changed world. Follow me, Into spring! The magnificent flowers are shining like diamonds: Red, orange, yellow, green, blue... They join up like a rainbow to dance in the wind. Follow me into spring! It’s not just us celebrating; Nature’s singers are also flapping wings with joy. They are in the sky like fairies, Protecting the world like treasure. This is the spring of the world, This is the spring of Junior King’s. As we say goodbye to winter and 2019, We are also welcoming spring and 2020, A fresh start!
With no Summer Fête and no maypole this year, Year 2 made their own garlands at home: Melody and Cassiopea used real flowers. Year 7 had a live, Blue Peter style watch and make session where they made a rain gauge and a barometer. Here’s Ayshia with her barometer.
Year 3 designed Greek pots in Art; work by Lewis and Maël
Lisa (Year 8)
Year 4 constructed robots with a moving part from recycled materials in DT; here’s Martha’s marvellous contraption
Teachers produced a number of fun videos for pupils
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Junior King’s Online
Year 1 made colourful rainbows; nice work, Charlie
Year 6 studied farming in Geography and impressed with some brilliant projects; work by Anouk and Tristan here
The Music Department held a number of remote informal concerts via Zoom, as well as a Summer Term Leavers’ Concert.
Year 7 made amazing masks for Art out of materials they found at home; work here by Ivan, Georgia and Anna
Years 7 and 8 made model chairs in the style of different design eras in DT; chairs here by Liza and Misha
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Year 3 learned about plants in Science. Freya carried out an experiment where she put white flowers in different food colouring to see what effect it had on the petals. In June, we were thrilled to welcome some of our pupils back to school as primaries and nurseries across England opened their doors to certain year groups. Marie in Reception reacquainted herself with the playground.
Junior King’s Online
Lockdown Poem The classrooms are empty, A lot working from home. Many with loved ones, Some on their own.
But no… We’re stuck inside. All alone, With nothing to do but moan.
The desks are abandoned, I wish you were back. I miss you, The banter and the crack.
What? What is that burning light? A torch turning on, to light up the night? No, it’s beautiful, it’s Hope! To comfort me and tuck me in warm and tight.
One out, one in What has this world become? A trip to the shops, The ghastly lockdown rule never stops. But wait! What can I do? Bake a cake? Or, garden? Maybe go on a country walk and hear a cow go ‘moo’.
Shops will open, Cafes and restaurants too! We will see friends, When the times lends. We will beat Corona And see her retreat. Life will be normal, And life will be sweet! Joshua (Year 6)
Year 5 studied Macbeth in English. Chikanyima, Lizzie and Amelie made these brilliant dioramas.
Year 4 worked on their own projects for History; Pippa made this lovely poster on Ada Lovelace
Year 2 learned about London, past and present, in English. As part of this project they have made their very own timelines. Juno’s life timeline was lovely and colourful.
Reception learned about capacity and using measuring jugs. Harriet used her learning in the kitchen to make delicious elderflower cordial with a bit of help from Mini Miss Moore.
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Junior King’s Online
Relax Kids For pupils in Years 3‑8, we launched an optional wellness programme called Relax Kids during the lockdown. Sessions were led by Mrs Tugwell and were designed to equip pupils with the tools needed to help manage stress and anxiety, with different programmes for Junior House, Middle School and Upper School, which were tailored to the pupils taking part. Children received a special packs in the post containing a range of helpful items, and over the next few weeks, they learned valuable life skills to assist with building their confidence, emotional regulation and resilience.
Year 2 learned about the Great Fire of London. Henry’s Tudor house was very authentic, and Lucinda and Findlay’s Thomas Farriner‑inspired loaves looked delicious. 110 | The Chronicle 2019-20
Year 1 loved learning about bees; Charlie and Gabrielle read their fact files in the sunshine
Year 3 worked on light boxes that could hold positive message boards in their DT lessons. William’s light box featured a reminder to stay cheerful and was made using a cereal packet.
Year 6 created Rex Ray inspired collages; work here by Edward, Lottie and Luke
Junior King’s Online
The Tree of Hope In my Tree of Hope, Everyone is kind, Everyone is caring, giving, loving, In my Tree of Hope We all speak our mind, We all care, give and love. Reception made fish kites; Mitzi and Coco enjoyed flying theirs
And every single time we trust, Which is essential, we really must, A single apple grows and grows. Until it turns the colour of a new, red rose. And with this apple we all share, We always do because we care. Everyone is caring, giving, loving. After that, the tree gives us air, To help us breathe and say a prayer. This air is so delicate, so pure. Always there to reassure. We breathe it in, we breathe it out, To never have a single doubt. Everyone is caring, giving, loving.
Year 6 designed their dream rooms in DT; here’s Elena’s interior design project
Finally, the tree shows us love, Like an elegant, swooping dove. And with this love, we make it last, Because we know; slow, not fast. In my Tree of Hope, Everyone is kind, Everyone is caring, giving, loving. In my Tree of Hope We all speak our mind, We all care, give and love. Sophia R (Year 6)
Year 8 worked on some fascinating Chemistry projects on acids and alkalis, creating indicators using fruits, vegetables or spices and (safe) household chemicals. Pupils researched the materials to identify the active chemicals and predict what the colour change would be before carrying out the investigation and producing a formal write‑up. Colourful results here from Cameron and Celia’s write‑ups.
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Junior King’s Online
Games lessons became “wellness” sessions, with Friday afternoons dedicated to winding down at the end of a week of mostly screen‑based learning.
Year 3 built brilliant bug hotels in Science; five‑star establishments here created by Jingchen and Ella
Year 5 were inspired by William Morris in Art; patterns above by Ziwang, Grace and Zadie
Molly (Year 7) had her writing published in The Telegraph in June as a runner up in their Journalists of Tomorrow competition. Molly’s piece on springtime was published online and in the Saturday paper.
It has become a tradition over the years for 8L to produce a Spanish video in the Summer Term to showcase their wonderful language skills. This year, despite not being together in person, 8L was determined to deliver a “Spanish Play”. The whole form worked with great dedication and enthusiasm to produce Tele Ocho Ele (8L TV), a compilation of adverts, the news, the weather and their own version of Taskmaster. They contributed creative ideas, rehearsed their lines, filmed themselves at home and edited footage. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with such a talented, conscientious group of students. Mrs Vanstone‑Hallam
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Junior King’s Online
Handwriting Competition Towards the end of the online Summer Term, a Prep School‑wide handwriting competition was launched. All the time spent learning virtually on our computers had left us itching to pick up our pens again. After much deliberation by the judges over the many wonderful entries, the final results were as follows. Upper School 1st: Xiao Xiao 2nd: Flavia 3rd: Ruby J
Chloe
Highly Commended: Sage, Ruby L, Dana, Sam R, Immy, Mim, Daniel P, Darcey, Noah R‑C, Sabrina, Anthony, Philip, Tikhon, Emmie, Gus, Lucy, Liza, Kamil, Kosi, Alan, Cynthia, Yolanda, Nikita, Alexandra O N Middle School 1st: Chloe Joint 2nd: Madhu and Yewon Highly Commended: Hannah, Daniela, Romilly, Zadie, Sasha, Chikanyima, Honor, Jihan, Tristan, George, Treasure, Isabelle, Elena, Giselle, Lottie, Victor, Francesco, Asuka, Tony, Riichi
Xiao
Xiao
Junior House 1st: Kyle 2nd: Jingchen Joint 3rd: Milo and Maël
Kyle
Jingche
Yewon
n
Madhu
Flavi
a
Milo Ruby
Maël
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Speech Day
SPEECH DAY Words from our Virtual Service ISI Compliance and Regulatory Inspection, and, of course, ended with Government‑enforced school closures due to the pandemic.
Mrs Emma Károlyi, Head
W
elcome to our virtual Speech Day. It is unfortunate that, due to the COVID‑19 pandemic, we are unable to gather together in the normal way to celebrate our annual speech day. This year I am delighted that both the Dean of Canterbury Cathedral and the Bishop of Dover, as our special Guest of Honour, have both prepared speeches for the occasion. This year has been very eventful, beginning with the happy 1920s‑themed celebrations of our 90th anniversary on our beautiful site here in Sturry. As we all whizzed around happy and carefree on the carousel outside the Manor House back in October, planted our commemorative trees, and celebrated at our Christmas Market, organised so well by the Friends of Junior King’s, not one of us could have predicted the events that lay ahead in 2020. The Lent Term began with our extremely successful
The staff immediately turned around the education from the classroom into our virtual Junior King’s Online Education and we were able to teach our children, all over the world, while in lockdown throughout the Summer Term. Our aim was always to provide the best online education possible, maintaining our breadth of learning and our routines, while trying to balance screen time with creative opportunities, and prioritising the pastoral care of the pupils. Most importantly, we have found it essential to keep our community spirit alive, and I hope that this has been especially evident in The Week communications. We are very proud of how the pupils have grown in independence, resilience and in their personal organisation over this period of remote learning and disruption to normal life. Everyone has risen to the occasion and pulled together to ensure continuity of education, and we are so impressed by the work that has been produced. I would like to thank our parents for all their support during this time. We have looked after the children of our NHS critical workers from March onwards and were able, when permitted by the UK Government, to gradually re‑open the school in June to certain year groups, within the strictest health
and safety guidelines. We now look forward to provisionally welcoming back all children in September. For our prize giving, I would like to congratulate every child on their personal achievements, progress and successes this year. There have been many different achievements throughout this year, in academic subjects, sports, Music, Drama, Art and Design Technology, which we have celebrated on a weekly basis in assembly and section assemblies. Our Year 8 leavers this year have been an outstanding group and unfortunately their time at Prep School has been brutally cut short, meaning that they have not been able to enjoy the final events, plays, concerts and trips planned as part of their rite of passage to leaving and moving on to their respective senior schools. We look forward to being able to invite them all back to Junior King’s next year, when it is safe to do so, to celebrate their time properly and to allow them to say goodbye to all their teachers and their school. I am grateful to all the staff for their extraordinary hard work and support in this most difficult of times, and to the Friends of Junior King’s, for helping to build our wonderful community. I wish you all a safe and happy summer holiday.
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Speech Day
The Right Reverend Dr Rose Hudson‑Wilkin, Bishop of Dover
I
am delighted to be joining you at Junior King’s School for your Speech Day. I want to tell you about a prophet from the Old Testament called Jeremiah. A prophet’s work was listening to God and being like a messenger, telling the people what God had said. For Jeremiah, it started when he was very young, a little bit like you. It became clear to him that he was being called to speak to the people, telling them everything that God had said. How exciting and scary it must have been. He was being called to a new beginning, to do something different. Jeremiah spoke to God. He said: ‘I don’t know what to do. How can I possibly speak to the people, I’m only a child!’. God listened to him and then God said to him, ‘I knew you before you were born. I’ve had my eyes on you. I have big plans for you, so don’t worry about a thing. I’m going to guide you. Although this is new, I’m going to be with you to encourage you and give you the right words to say’. This is a very special time for you. I know you’ve had an amazing time with your friends and teachers, learning and achieving new things. But now it’s time for you to embark 116 | The Chronicle 2019-20
on new beginnings. Like Jeremiah, you are being called to a new phase of your lives when new learning will begin. To be ready for the next stage, it is good to look back so you can be assured about going forward. And what a term you’ve just had. A pandemic has hit our world and disrupted your lives and your learning. You will have much to tell your children one day when you are older, about the many people who needed to be hospitalised, how you were separated from family members, unable to go out and play with your friends, unable to attend school. About clapping on a Thursday evening to thank the National Health Service and all that they were doing. But most of all, as you look back you will see how much stronger you have become because of all those experiences. And this is what will help you and fill you with confidence. You will say: ‘I am stronger, yes I can’. I was excited when I was told I was going to be a bishop, but also a little scared. Will I know how to do it? What should I say? But then, I had not just one, but two wonderful services. One in London and another at Canterbury Cathedral. In St Paul’s Cathedral in London, I was being sent out and in Canterbury I was being received with a very warm welcome. I know that there were children from local schools singing in the cathedral, adding to the warmth and the welcome. If you were there too, thank you. You were God’s voice to me, reassuring me. In quiet moments, when you are feeling a bit uncertain about moving up to your next class or changing schools, I want you to remember that it’s okay to feel hesitant and a little scared. Look back, remember the wonderful times of celebration that you have had. Remember that
you are strong, coming through all that you have. And most of all, like the prophet Jeremiah, remember that you are not alone. God is with you, and God has something special for you to do. God wants you to use your gifts, your voice, to speak up. If, like Jeremiah, you hear yourself saying, ‘I’m only a child, I can’t do this’, then remember the words that God said to Jeremiah: ‘Don’t say “I’m only a child”. I have got work for you to do’. Speak up, learn your lesson well. One day, you will be scientists who will help to prevent another pandemic. One day you will be care‑workers, nurses and doctors, caring for others. One day you will be engineers and researchers, mathematicians, politicians, lawyers, business entrepreneurs. You will be religious leaders and teachers, helping to guide and equip the next generation. My nephew had these words over his desk when he was at school: ‘No limitations rule my effort. I will excel, I will achieve, I will overcome obstacles. I have the potential for greatness’. You have the potential for greatness. So, may God bless you and keep you. The coronavirus pandemic has broken into our world, disrupted all our lives, separated us from our friends and families. We have missed out on some of our education, missed out on planned sporting and celebratory events. But God is with you. The school that we will return to will be the same; the expectation that we are to stay one or two metres apart from one another, challenging for you as children. But, remember you are strong. You will keep going. You will each become a Jeremiah for your day. You will make a difference. May God bless you all.
Speech Day
The Very Reverend Dr Robert Willis Dean of Canterbury
I
t seems very strange not to be gathering at Junior King’s for this occasion of speeches and celebration at the end of an academic year. But life has seemed very strange since the middle of March, when the lockdown first began, and we’ve had to do things in a very different way. This is my twentieth occasion at Junior King’s for Speech Day. I came as your speaker the day before I was made Dean in July of 2001 and since then I’ve learned so many things about the Junior King’s community – its creativity, its life as a community. We’ve said hello and goodbye to so many people, but it’s always wonderful to gather, and in the lockdown this virtual way of gathering has become something we’ve grown used to. I think that, as we grow older, we begin to think that there’s not much more we can learn. Well, these three months have taught us that’s quite wrong! We’ve learned how to do things in so many different ways. And I want, as Chairman of Governors, to pay a huge tribute to all the staff – academic and support staff – for maintaining the school and for teaching in different ways online
throughout these months. It’s not been an easy task, but the staff have responded magnificently because they believe in this place so much. The biggest thanks goes to Mrs Károlyi, and we thank her on this occasion for all this academic year. The first half was just as we always had it, with gatherings in the cathedral at Christmastime and at the beginning of the academic terms, but the cathedral has been locked to us during these recent months. Next Sunday we can begin to have acts of worship with social distancing, but with no singing. It will still seem strange. But, nevertheless, there is nothing so wonderful as learning a new skill and all of you have been doing that. Let me add my thanks also to parents and families, who themselves have had to help in this process in a way quite unexpected to them. I hope it’s been a learning occasion for you as well. Certainly, doing everything online has caused me to learn all kinds of things. All our services have had to be done from the Deanery garden or, on rainy days, even from the Deanery greenhouse. I’ve had the help in putting morning prayer and evening prayer online and making them look attractive from four of our cats, Leo and Lily and Monkey and Tiger, and two of our pigs, Winston and Clemmie, and lots and lots of chicks and hens. I’ve also had the help of the most beautiful spring, which unfolded the garden, and in the middle of that I’ve been trying to explain the scriptures, from Easter and through the Gospel of St Luke. I’ve learned so many things. People have written from all over the world, from the Philippine islands as the clock went round all the way to San Diego. They
were learning in their homes how to feel connected. That’s the most important word in all this. We know ourselves to be connected. We thank Bishop Rose for being our guest speaker on this day and I’m sorry that at the moment she can’t really feel the hospitality and character of Junior King’s to the great extent that we all know it when we gather together. Nevertheless, there will be occasions in the future because gradually things will ease. But I don’t think we’ll ever forget the lessons that we’ve learnt. That part of the lockdown has been creative and good. Coming together will be even better. It will be a new beginning. Some of you will be beginning in different places and our good wishes and our prayers go with you. And others will, after a holiday, be returning to their learning, in whatever way that learning is done, for a new academic year. I know that this creative community will go forward in good strength because I’ve learned to know it well. And I’ve seen how Junior King’s has responded so creatively to this crisis, supported by parents and friends and old students the world over. And now, here, on this day, we say ‘hooray’ for the year that’s just gone past. And also, as we would have done with a big shout after the school song: ‘hooray for the holidays!’ Well, have a good holiday and pat yourself on the back for a job well done in learning new things. It’s been a great time, though a difficult one, and we hope for a happy year with a gradual unfolding and coming together, seeing Junior King’s becoming even stronger than it ever has been before. The Chronicle 2019-20 | 117
Farewell
FAREWELL . . . and Thank You to Year 8
8M 8L
8S
8MK
Thank You to our Prefects Zahra (Head Girl) William H (Head Boy) Lisa (Head of Juckes) Winor (Head of Kipling)
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Alex
Emmie
Anthony
Immy
Bryan
Jessie
Dayyan
Lily
Emily
Naeto
Nathan Samuel Sofiya Thomas
Farewell A Letter to Year 8
June 2020 Dear Year 8, I wanted to write you a special letter at this point in the term and in your final week at Junior King’s. As Year 8s, you are now at a significant point in your lives. You have reached the top of the Prep School and shortly you will be leaving. It may not seem quite real yet, especially for those who have been at the school since Pre‑Prep. I hope that you will always look back on your time at Junior King’s School with appreciation, as a very happy, creative and inspirational time in your lives. Each of you can probably name more than a few special things about your time here. Your teachers have given so much of their time and energy to ensure that you are happy, you achieve and you succeed. You have faced challenges and you have made mistakes. Mistakes are okay. . . really! You have been a very special year group, one of the best! You have worked as a team, led so ably by Zahra and Will, and have supported each other throughout. I am very proud of the independence, resilience and courage with which you have coped when your world turned upside down in March because of the COVID‑19 pandemic. You will never forget this time, and I am sure that you will tell your story to future generations. Your own children and grandchildren will one day study this pandemic in their History and Science lessons when they are at school, and you will be able to give them a first‑hand description, as one who lived through it. You will also always remember that yours was the year that never sat exams at prep school! This has not been a time that any of us could have predicted or wanted to happen at all. I am particularly aware that your time has been cut short, and that you have lost out on all the exciting events of the Summer Term – your post‑exam trips, the concerts, the Art and DT Exhibition, Sports Day, your leavers’ dinner and party, Speech Day and the final leavers’ lunch – and I know that you all must be feeling this loss very deeply. Your teachers are too. I really wish I was able to make it all happen for you, but I cannot. It is going to take time for everything to get back to normal. What I can promise though, when it is safe to do so, is to invite you to come back and visit us all at Junior King’s. We will celebrate your time here together and you will have a chance to say goodbye properly to all your teachers. But now it is time to look ahead to the future. It must now feel like you are standing on the top of a mountain – for the last few years you have been climbing up to reach the summit in Year 8. There have been times when the ascent has been easy, and you have made good progress. But there will have been times when the climb was hard‑going and progress has been trickier. You might have slipped downhill a little, and the climb up was rocky and difficult under foot. You have called on your friends and teachers to keep you going, to help you when you felt you could not go on. Your teachers have encouraged you all the way because every single one has believed in you and knew that you could do it and would get there. Through these moments, you have learned how to cope and have developed strong strategies to get you to the top. These strategies will remain with you for life. You are now full of confidence and ready for the next challenges in senior school. I want to wish you all the very best in your new schools. Please stay in touch and tell me how you are getting on, and I really look forward to inviting you back to Junior King’s for a very special celebration. With best wishes, Mrs Károlyi
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Farewell
Mr Allen, Teacher
Mrs Hadlow, Teacher
Mr Allen has been at Junior
Mrs Hadlow joined Junior King’s four years ago in the Pre‑Prep Department. She has demonstrated her strengths as an adaptable teacher, supporting in 1:1 speech and language, and latterly as a very strong, capable Year 1 and Year 2 Pre‑Prep teacher. The children that she has taught have all benefitted from her care and attention, and she has brought both wisdom and breadth of experience to her role.
King’s for the past six years and has been an outstanding Head of English, leading the department with both creativity and care. Mr Allen was also an excellent Head of Upper School for a short time and has been exceptional in equipping Year 8 and scholarship candidates for senior school. The pupils in his classes have reached the highest standards and have been inspired in his lessons. He has also led seminars and insets for parents and staff, and has always offered his support and expertise wherever it was needed. Mr Allen has been a wonderful teacher and colleague, and he will be greatly missed by the Junior King’s community.
Mr Mackenzie, Teacher 19 years ago, in 2001, Mr Mackenzie started working at Junior King’s, initially for
Mr Barber, Teacher Mr Barber completed his teacher training at Junior King’s and has been an excellent Middle School teacher ever since, heading up 5B as a form tutor. He has taken an active role in both boarding life and the day school, as well as in Middle School games. He will be very much missed in all these areas.
just a term…. He has been at the school ever since! He is a greatly respected leader and over the years he has led Kakas House, Lower School, Middle School and, most recently, Upper School. He has coached all sports, both girls and boys, to the highest standard. His most memorable highlight was getting to the National Finals with his U11 girls’ team, having become both County and Regional Champions. He proudly ran the U13A hockey team when the school introduced boys’ hockey. His expert sporting and coaching skills will be a big loss to the school. Everyone has appreciated and benefitted from Mr Mackenzie’s kindness, listening ear and regular words of wisdom. A wonderful colleague and teacher, he will be hugely missed.
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Mrs Chittim, Teaching Assistant Mrs Chittim joined Junior King’s in 2006. Since then, she has demonstrated her adaptability and skills in teaching and assisting in both the Pre‑Prep and the Prep School. She even worked as a nursery teacher for a while to cover a vacancy and also taught in Year 2 for a term! Mrs Chittim has been an extremely kind and astute Teaching Assistant, with a clear understanding of each child, always finding the time to support with patience, consistency and clarity. She will be a loss to the school and will be greatly missed by us all.
Farewell
Mrs Lynes, Teaching Assistant and Assistant Librarian Mrs Lynes originally joined Junior King’s in 1997 as a 1:1 support. She immediately became involved in other roles too, including cover teaching and working in
Mrs Robinson, Teaching Assistant Mrs Robinson has dedicated an amazing 27 years, starting at Junior King’s in 1992. She is the longest serving member of staff and was the first and only teaching assistant for about four years.
She will be greatly missed by everyone.
Over these years, she has witnessed the school evolve and grow. She has been a wonderful, patient and very caring teaching assistant, both in the Pre‑Prep and the Prep School. She has loved contributing to Forest School, sharing her knowledge of virtually every plant and all creepy crawlies, and has taken great pleasure in painting backdrops and making costumes for performances over the years. She is exceptionally creative and talented, and both the children and the staff have benefitted enormously from her many skills over the years. Most recently she has been a wonderful support in Junior House and in the Art Department. Mrs Robinson will be greatly missed by staff and pupils.
Miss Ball, Assistant Tutor
Mr Hrehorow, Assistant Tutor
Since
in
Mr Hrehorow has worked
September, Miss Ball has
with us since last September.
been involved in all aspects
Confident and calm, he has
of life at Junior King’s and has
fulfilled many roles in his
contributed significantly to
time at the school. He made a
the school community: train
large contribution to Kipling
runs,
wake‑ups,
breakfast
House, working with the
duty,
supporting
lessons,
boarders. His care for the
the library. Since then, she has been an outstanding classroom assistant and, latterly, a supply teacher. Over her time at the school, Mrs Lynes has helped and tutored a succession of children in Maths, in classes, groups or 1:1s, supporting them to gain confidence in their abilities, progress and ultimately helping them achieve success – she has made a real impact on so many children. Mrs Lynes has always been a warm presence in the library for children, and her knowledge of each child is so perceptive that she can recommend books to match each personality and preference.
joining
us
testing, boarding duties and running sports teams.
boys has always been his main focus and he will
Approachable, motivated, caring, down to earth
be missed by all the boarding community.
and reliable, Miss Ball has contributed much in her time at Junior King’s.
In addition to boarding, Mr Hrehorow has assisted in classes, looked after Year 4 on a Saturday, worked
She is also a top sportswoman and hugely
in the office and taken on duties. He is a fantastic
committed to her sport, taking on responsibility
footballer and has been a major part of the Middle
for the U11B teams in both hockey and netball this
School games team, taking training sessions and
year, offering great support and guidance to the
managing teams in a variety of sports. We wish
players in her care. We wish her every happiness
him the very best in the teacher training that he
and success as she leaves to undertake her degree.
plans to undertake.
The Chronicle 2019-20 | 121
Farewell
Rev Tugwell, Chaplain and Teacher
Mrs Spring, Assistant Registrar
Reverend Tugwell has been Chaplain at Junior King’s since September 2012, dedicating his time to the important spiritual and pastoral sides of the school, as well as to the teaching of RS and Games.
Having dedicated 13 years to Junior King’s, Mrs Spring’s departure will be felt as a large loss to the Admissions Department.
Reverend Tugwell has now made the decision to become a full‑time curate, based in Whitstable. We are delighted, though, that he will continue to be a very active part of the Junior King’s boarding community next year, and will continue to support Mrs Tugwell in leading Juckes House.
As an outstanding first line of support to both her colleagues and the wider school community, Mrs Spring has contributed much in her time at the school. Always ready and willing share her knowledge and expertise, Mrs Spring’s enthusiasm, dedication, good humour and cheerfulness will be greatly missed in the Manor House office.
Elizabeth de la Porte (1941–2020) It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of our wonderful colleague, Elizabeth de la Porte, in March. Elizabeth had only stepped down as one of our piano teachers last summer after many, many years at the school. Her children had also been pupils here in the 1980s and 1990s and she had been a mentor to generations of piano students at Junior King’s. Elizabeth was a harpsichordist by training and she performed all over the world. Her recordings of Bach are really wonderful and can be found on Spotify. As well as her teaching at Junior King’s, Elizabeth was associated with the Royal College of Music Junior Department in London for over 50 years. She was an inspirational force who was kind but firm with her pupils, each of whom received a solid grounding in piano technique and a love for exploring music.
122 | The Chronicle 2019-20
Sturry, Canterbury CT2 0AY registrar@junior‑kings.co.uk | +44 (0)1227 714 000 www.junior‑kings.co.uk